Abiding, Appointed, Bible, Calling, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Listening, Messages, Scripture, Testimony

IN ME

GALATIANS 1:16

“to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,”

God has allowed me to minister to others for almost 45 years. My calling occurred soon after I was saved, and I served my first church at age 18. How did I know God was calling me to full-time ministry? He spoke to me through His Holy Spirit. He gave me a burden for the Gospel. It is hard to put into words because it happened internally. I didn’t hear this audible voice from heaven. He spoke to my spirit.

Paul explains his calling in today’s verse. We know of his conversion on the Damascus road detailed in Acts 9. But here he explains that internal calling. The Greek really explains this better. It says, “apokalysai..en emoi.” Let me explain. That reads “to reveal…in me.” The little word en is the key. It means it operates on the inside. Paul was telling us that God, through His Holy Spirit, spoke to him so that he could speak to others.

APPLICATION

Listen closely. You have to be changed on the inside before you have anything to say on the outside. Your testimony begins inwardly. God does a work in you. He begins to reveal Himself to you. Why? So you can tell others. It’s not for you to keep to yourself. Jeremiah the prophet described it this way when he said he just couldn’t keep God’s message inside. “Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire.”

What has God revealed in you? I can’t speak for you. Only you know that. But one thing is for sure – you won’t hear what God is revealing unless you are looking for it and listening for Him. I’m reading a book right now by Henry and Richard Blackaby entitled, “Hearing God’s Voice.” Now, don’t get spooked by the title. It’s not a mystical teaching. They literally look at how God spoke through the Old and New Testament to His saints. And they also talk about how God speaks to us today.

Are you listening? Do you want God to reveal His message to you? You see, if He does that, then He expects you to share it. Can you do that? Can you share God’s revelations to you? Sure, you can. He will do it through you. Just trust Him. He has something to say and wants to use you.

O Father, use me as Your mouthpiece to a lost world.

P.S. You can always know it is God speaking because if it is, it will be confirmed by His Word.

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Abiding, Bible, Boundaries, Calling, Devil, God's Will, Markers, Property, Scripture

BOUNDARY MARKERS

GALATIANS 1:15

“But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased”

When I bought my first house in Florida in 1997, one thing I was given was a site plan for my house and property. There were clear boundary markers that showed where my property ended. At my second house, I had to search until I found those boundary stakes which were hidden by a lot of lush, tropical plants. My properties were both “set apart” by those makers. They established that property as mine. It belonged to me.

The word Paul uses in today’s verse for “set apart” is the Greek word, aphorizo. Using the same definition for my property boundaries, apply that here. That’s what the word means. God had set Paul apart. He had marked Paul as His possession. God had essentially driven the boundary stake in the ground declaring Paul was His and would always be.

APPLICATION

The devil owns us all until we give our lives to Jesus. He has us right where he wants us – in his stomping grounds. But when we surrender to Jesus, God claims those grounds. Every scare inch of you belongs to Him. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 tell us, “16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.’”

Paul is quoting from Isaiah 3:11. The message is clear. Be separate from the world. Drive down some distinct boundaries. Don’t blur the lines. You know, even though we have to live in this world, we don’t have to live like the world. If you are a believer, you belong to Jesus. Live like it. Stay set apart.

Thank You, Lord, for driving down those boundary markers in my heart so that I know that I belong to You.

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Bible, Freedom, Passion, Scripture, Zealous

ZEALOUS FOR THE WRONG STUFF

GALATIANS 1:14

“and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”

Okay, I have to admit it – I’m an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. I went to school at the University of Georgia, so it’s my school. I am especially a football fan. I have enjoyed the past few seasons with the success the team has had. But I know it is only a sport and that life does not hang in the balance with each win or loss. There are some fans, however, who are truly fanatics. They live and die with each ballgame. Zealous for the wrong reason!

Paul admits in verse 14 that he, too, was zealous for the wrong reasons. The Greek word for “zealous” comes from the root word zeo which mans to be hot enough to boil. Paul was, indeed, a zealot for the Jewish faith, even chasing down the early believers, throwing them in jail and even approving of their death. Remember, he was present when Stephen was stoned to death. He was zealous but for the wrong thing.

APPLICATION

In Luke 6:15, we find one of Jesus’ apostles was called a zealot. “…and Simon who was called the Zealot;” Simon was a zealot over fighting for freedom from the Romans. When Jesus called him to be one of his chosen twelve, his zeal was changed from seeking freedom militarily to seeking freedom spiritually. Paul was no exception. Instead of seeking to arrest early Christians, he was arrested by God on that Damascus road and finally set free. Now, he was extremely zealous for Christ. He was even willing to risk his own life spreading the good news of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 14:12 speaks to us all regarding the correct zeal we should pursue. “So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.” Instead of trying to obtain spiritual supremacy, we should be zealous to build up the body of Christ, the church. God has given each of us gifts for the body. Those are the things we should seek, not for ourselves, but for others.

The older I get, the less attention or praise I seek. I had rather serve behind the scenes and quietly watch others get blessed than seek my own accolades. When I do receive recognition, I want to be quick to give it all back to Him. I want to be zealous for Jesus, nothing else. Only He really matters. I want to boil over for Him. How about you?

I praise You, Lord, for giving me the zeal I need each day. Boil me over in passion for You.

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Abiding, Bible, Change, Creation, Deliverance, God's Will, Scripture, Transformation

BOY, HOW I’VE CHANGED

GALATIANS 1:13

“For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;”

Most of us before Christ aren’t worth spit. That sounds kind of harsh, huh? But it’s true. Before Christ, we are self-centered, self-absorbed, belittling, snobbish, etc. All we care about is our self or some other issue that has no redeeming value. Before I came to Christ, all I cared about was fulfilling my own pleasures. I won’t go into details. They aren’t necessary. You can fill in your own details from your own life before Jesus. But, wow, what a change after coming to Him.

Paul was exclaiming the same thing. He recounted briefly how he had persecuted believers before that faithful day on the road to Damascus when Christ struck him blind and called him to Himself. (Read Acts 9 for the full story.) Paul’s reputation had spread quickly, but he was now a changed man. Christ had recreated him into an apostle of Christ. Now, Paul belonged to Jesus.

APPLICATION

I am reminded of Colossians 3:10 which says, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it.” All throughout the New Testament we are told of the “new man” replacing the “old man.” Out with the old and in with the new. A change takes place, and this change should be noticeable. People should notice.

Jesus takes us right where we are, but He changes us into a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us so, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We have a fresh start, a fresh clean slate. Just as Paul changed from persecutor to believer, you also are changed from your former state to a child of God.

My own transformation began in 1977. I say “began” because I am still being made into the image of Christ. I still have a lot of things I need to give over to Him. Every time I think I have given it all, He shows me another box of stuff I have kept from Him. I want Him to have it all. I want to be that totally willing vessel ready to be used at any time. Are you changed? Are you ready?

I praise You, O Lord, for my changed life in Christ.

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Appearance, Bible, Holy Spirit, Relationships, Revelation, Scripture, Seeking

REVELATIONS

GALATIANS 1:12

“For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I love grand revealings like when a game show reveals what is behind “curtain #1” or when a gift box is finally opened to reveal what is inside. The anticipation and excitement builds until the revelation happens. God perfectly revealed His love for us by sending Jesus to be our Savior. What a grand revelation!

In today’s verse, Paul speaks of a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” He defends his teachings from those who were trying to confuse the Galatians by saying he wasn’t told what to say by anyone except Jesus. Scholars disagree on what this “revelation” was or when exactly it happened. Most agree this revelation, this unveiling of knowledge by Jesus to Paul, probably occurred while he was in the desert for three years. It is interesting that the geographical area where Paul went was probably not too far from where Moses received his revelation from God in the form of the Law.

APPLICATION

What has God revealed to you lately? Nothing? Are you listening? Are you tuned in with the Holy Spirit? I am not trying to be critical. Hear me out. When we are seeking the Lord, He reveals Himself. Matthew 7:7-8, a well-known passage, tells us so. “7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.’”

In the ministry where I serve, Every Man A Warrior, we are currently having a conversation about hearing God’s voice, about experiencing these revelations. Just as Paul received his revelation from Jesus, we are still receiving Jesus’ revelations to us. I am not talking about a new doctrine or religion. I am talking about revealing more and more of Himself to us through His Word and through our conversations with Him.

Amos 4:13 says it so beautifully. “He Who forms the mountains, Who creates the wind, and Who reveals His thoughts to mankind, Who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is His name.” Woohoo! Glory to God! He is a revealing God. Look out for His revelations in your life.

Thank You for revealing Yourself to me when I least expect it. But I should expect it every day!

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Accountability, Bible, Boasting, Calling, Correction, Fellowship, Glorify, Gospel, Scripture

NOT MY WORDS

GALATIANS 1:11

“For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention.”

Have you ever had to deliver a message to someone from someone else that you knew had the potential to upset that person? How do you start that message? I have a message for you from ________. Now, understand that these are their words, not mine. Am I right? Of course, I am. We want to make sure they know that we are just the messenger.

In verse 11 today, Paul is telling the Galatians something similar. He is telling them that the message that he preached to them didn’t come from him or any other person. Where did it come from? It came from God! The phrase, “not of human invention,” is literally “is not according to man” in the Greek. Paul didn’t get it from Peter or James or any other person. The message, the gospel message is straight from God.

APPLICATION

This is why it is so important for us to be very careful when we handle the Word. I recall Paul’s word in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul further explains the need to handle the Word correctly. “For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

Handling God’s message to mankind is a weighty job. Far too many people mishandle it. They take what is the truth and make it their own truth. They add to or take away from it. This is what Paul was battling in the Galatian churches. The Judaizers would come in and require these new believers to adapt what they had learned and add certain requirements that had nothing to do with the original message of the Gospel.

Today, we risk the same thing when we require people to jump through our hoops in order to achieve the righteousness of Christ. The Gospel is simple. Christ intended it that way. Don’t complicate it.

Thank You, Lord, for keeping the message of salvation simple of all mankind.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Bondslaves, Choices, Faithfulness, God's Will, Relationships, Scripture

GOD PLEASER

GALATIANS 1:10

“For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Adrian Rogers, the beloved former Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, said it best when he said, “If you please God, it doesn’t matter whom you displease. If you displease God, it doesn’t matter whom you please.” Boy, isn’t that true? You can either be a God pleaser or people pleaser. You can’t be both.

Paul nails this down with the last phrase. He says, “…I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” HELPS Word-Studies says this about that Greek word for bond-servant, “is used with the highest dignity in the NT – namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ’s authority as His devoted followers.” Paul had tried the people pleaser route and found it lacking. But as a bond-servant of Christ, his only desire was to please his Master, King Jesus.

APPLICATION

Now, how do we take this verse and apply it to our lives? This should not be confusing for any believer in Christ. You either please God or you please people. Paul says in Romans 6:16, “Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

But Paul isn’t done yet. Let’s go to 1 Thessalonians 2:4. “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.” Aren’t you glad the Lord gave Paul this insight to pass on to us? Paul had dealt with the religious crowd. He knew their intentions were not true.

Therefore, we are to be focused solely on pleasing the One who gave us life. Lest we think this is a New Testament concept, look at Psalm 118:8. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people.” David knew this, too. So do you. Stop trusting in the approval of others. Seek to please Him. That is all that matters.

O Lord, it is so hard sometimes to not get wrapped up in pleasing others. Keep my attention on You.

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Bible, Gospel, Messages, Repetition, Salvation, Testimony, Witnessing

LET ME REPEAT THAT

GALATIANS 1:9

“As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Sometimes you just have to repeat yourself to be understood clearly. In our Every Man A Warrior ministry curriculum, we repeat the skills we are teaching the men over and over. When they memorize a verse, they say the reference (where it is from) before and after reciting it. Repetition is used by preachers in sermons to drive home points. Many of them say what they are going to say, say it and then say what they said. Repetition!

Paul clearly repeats himself here in verse 9. Remember there were no chapters and verses in the books of the Bible originally, so this letter to the Galatians was written just like you would write a letter or email or text. Of the fourteen times the Greek word for “have said before” is used, Paul uses it nine times. He liked to repeat himself. That word also means to predict or say beforehand. Paul repeats his statement to make sure he is not misunderstood.

APPLICATION

What does this verse mean to us? You and I need to keep telling the story of Jesus to everyone we meet. We need to share His love to a lost and dying world every chance we get. 1 Peter 3:15 is a good verse to memorize on this. “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;” Did you catch that? Peter said, “always being ready.” That means you have had to prepare. You can spit out those verses. You can share your testimony.

Let me encourage you to do your own word study on this. What does the Bible say about sharing the Gospel, about sharing your testimony? You need to have your testimony prepared to give in 1 minute, 3 minutes or 8 minutes. Share it according to the situation but share it. If you are a believer, you have a testimony. You have a story that needs to be told over and over. The more you share it the more comfortable you will be sharing it. Repetition builds skills, remember.

Set a goal this week to share your testimony and the Gospel of Christ with at least one person. Next week try two. Keep sharing. Keep testifying. Guess who you please. Not the preacher. Not your Sunday School teacher. You are pleasing the Lord Jesus. Remember the words of Paul in Colossians 3:23-24.
“23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward  of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Lord, this week give me the opportunity to share my testimony and the Gospel to those who need to hear it.

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Accursed, Bible, Deceit, Deception, Enemies, Falsehoods, Gospel, Scripture, Truth

UNRELIABLE PEOPLE

GALATIANS 1:8

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

I’ve known people who were flip-floppers. What does that mean? It means they would change their minds or views on a subject to go along with others. They would stick their finger in the wind and go in that direction. They were not reliable, therefore, for anything important. And they soon proved to be unreliable as a friend or confidant.

In today’s verse, Paul addresses the threat of a changing gospel. He gets pretty forceful by saying even if they hear he, other apostles or even an angel was preaching gospel different than what he preached earlier (only Jesus was required for salvation), let them be accursed. The Greek word for “accursed” is anathema. It means “excommunicated thing, cursed.” That person should be totally disregarded.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse: “It follows from this:

(1) That any other doctrine than what is proclaimed in the Bible on the subject of justification is to be rejected and treated with abhorrence, no matter what the rank, talent, or eloquence of him who defends it. (2) that we are not to patronize or countenance such preachers. No matter what their zeal or their apparent sincerity, or their apparent sanctity, or their apparent success, or their real boldness in rebuking vice, we are to withdraw from them.”

In other words, believers, be careful who you follow. There are so many wolves in sheep clothing out there. The Lord said in Matthew 7:15-16a, “’15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.’”

Paul warns us, also, in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

You’ve been warned. There is no excuse. You have to protect your ears by staying in the Word, listening to His voice, spending time in prayer. Listen to the Holy Spirit always and compare what preachers and teachers are saying with God’s Word. Ask the Lord to show you if what they are teaching is true. He will. He wants you to follow only those who know Him.

Father, show me very clearly who is following You and not themselves or our enemy.

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Affliction, Battles, Belief, Bible, Confrontation, Corruption, Deceit, Enemies, Fighting, Gospel, Scripture

AGITATORS

GALATIANS 1:7

“which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

It seems in every body of believers there are those who are determined to disturb and agitate. If they don’t get their way in a committee meeting, they start grumbling and mumbling. Other agitators come in and start complaining about the Pastor’s messages. They are subtle, but impactful. Before you know it, you have a full blown rebellion happening in the church.

Why do I bring this up? Because this is exactly what Paul is speaking about in today’s verse. Those people who came into the Galatian churches after Paul were agitating and trying to change the Gospel which Paul had preached. The Greek word for “disturbing” means “to stir up trouble.” Then Paul uses a word for “distort” that is only used three times in Scripture. It means “to turn or pervert.” These people had ill intentions from the start. “Paul’s message wasn’t good enough. You need this, too.”

APPLICATION

This other gospel that was being preached by these agitators in Galatia is still present today. They were preaching that you need to do certain things to receive salvation. Belief in Jesus wasn’t enough. You needed to keep the Mosaic law. Well, today you may not hear that, but you hear other things are required for salvation. You must do this, or you can’t do that. Listen, all we need in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Paul also says over in Romans 5:1-2, “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.” You can’t get much clearer than that. Nothing will justify us before God except the blood of Christ.

What are you working so hard for? You can’t achieve your salvation through works. You can’t achieve your salvation by going to church every time the doors are opened. You can’t get to heaven on your own merits. You can’t do enough to tip the scale in your favor. But…Jesus’ blood can. Are you washed in His blood? If you are, you are sealed with His promise. Hallelujah!

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?

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