Simple…month 3

Day 71

Verses

Galatians 3:15-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Galatians%203:15-25;&version=31;

Challenge

Three things are discussed here: promise, law, and faith. But towards the middle of these verses, he asks us a question: “What then was the purpose of the Law?” How many people do you know that see God as a dictator casting down rules left and right to whomever He sees fit? How does this picture match what Paul is describing here? There are verses throughout the entire Bible telling us that Law is death and can only lead to slavery. The only reason that the Law was given was to assist our weaknesses. But our God was not satisfied with this. Now, there is an override to this Law. Faith in Jesus brings us beyond the Law, beyond death. Now there are only two things: promise and faith. God is not a rule-hurling dictator. So, don’t get re-trapped in the Law. Spend some listening to the promises of God and allowing these promises to build your faith. God always keeps His promises.

 

Day 70

Verses

Galatians 3:1-14

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Galatians%203:1-14;&version=31;

Challenge

There is comfort in the known, and great discomfort in stepping out into the unknown. This is true for every person, even the thrill seekers.  And, it is especially true in our faith. The folks that Paul is writing here have over time found themselves moving back to what they knew before Jesus. They were bewitched into following their old traditions and customs, believing that these things had more power to save than they actually did. The truth was the only power these customs held was to kill. Paul knew it and was addressing it out of care and concern. We do the exact same thing. What are some of those things in your life that you hold as a security blanket, while unknowingly they gnaw away at you, leading you towards death? Spend some time with God honestly talking about these things and how to remain set free.

 

Day 69

Verses

Galatians 2:15-21

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%202:15-21;&version=31;

Challenge

If we can earn our way into heaven on our own, then Jesus died for nothing. There is not one thing that you or I can do to gain access to God, to speak with him, or for Him to hear our prayers. We in and of ourselves have nothing to offer to God that can make Him change His mind on this matter. The stakes have been set. The deal is done. This is truth. But God had something better in mind to resolve this problem. God gave a gift to Himself in the form of His son, Jesus. And Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way that we can even approach our God, which is the very thing that God desires more than anything: us with Him. Spend some time today thanking Him for His grace that was given to you at a cost that you could neither afford on your own nor afford to live without. 

 

Day 68

Verses

Galatians 2:11-14

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%202:11-14;&version=31;

Challenge

We are talking about teamwork again today.  But this is the more difficult part of teamwork: addressing another leader’s mistake. Paul gives a wonderful way to do this. He builds Peter up as he asks him why he did this. There is humility and confidence, hope and strength found in these passages. We, as leaders, can learn a huge lesson from Paul here as we lead those that work around, for, and above us. Spend some time asking God how you can be a growing leader.

 

Day 67

Verses

Galatians 2:1-10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%202:1-10;&version=31;

Challenge

Why is teamwork so difficult? The next few verses deal with this topic from a few different angles. Peter and Paul are learning to get along and see each other’s strengths. Easier said that done, but it is done here. The question here, is how. Spend some time talking with God about this. Allow Him to speak into this aspect of your life.

 

Day 66

Verses

Galatians 1:11-24

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201:11-24;&version=31;

Challenge

Life is a series of choices. Many of these choices can drastically change our path. Paul experienced one of these choices on the road to Damascus. It was here that he tells us that he was “called.” It was here that he had the blinding realization (literally) that he needed to go a very specific direction and nothing ought stand in his way. Of all of the choices that you have made, which are the ones that you have been called to: Parenthood, Marriage, Careers, Ministries, Friendships? What are the choices in your life that you can trust you have been called to? The main choice that Paul tells us he was called to was this gospel that was not man-made. Spend some time today with God. Ask Him his thoughts and feelings about your life today and for eternity. He loves to talk with you about this.

 

Day 65

Verses

Galatians 1:10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201:10;&version=31;

Challenge

This is one of those stand alone, poignant, life-giving verses. It begs the answer from you. Who do you serve? Who do you seek approval from? At the end of today, whose opinion matters most to you? And then the kicker, if you are looking for the approval of God, there’s a real good chance that you won’t receive the approval of man. Spend some time talking to Him today. Ask Him to speak to you today. Focus on Him and what He has for you. Then go live it!

 

Day 64

Verses

Galatians 1:1-9

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201:1-9;&version=31;

Challenge

The gospel is simple: Jesus completely demolished sin and set us free from our past. The simplicity of the gospel seems too easy, to good to be true. There must be a catch. Often it is easier to look at our lives and the mistakes that we continue to make and think there must be something else that we have glanced over. This is what Paul wants the Galatians and us to be sure of. The gospel is simple, but it is powerful. You need not worry, you have been saved. You have been redeemed. You have been set free. You can trust this simple and powerful gospel. Take some time to talk to your Savior today.

 

Day 63

Verses

2 Peter 3:14-18

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:14-18;&version=31;

Challenge

“make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.” Peter makes a request that we actually “try” in our faith. It is as if Peter is saying, “since God has done His part, freeing you from anything holding you back, and since God will be keeping His promise in the future ensuring that you will definitely be spending eternity with Him…try.” Spend some time today talking to God and then giving it your best. 

 

Day 62

Verses

2 Peter 3:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:1-13;&version=31;

Challenge

Have you wondered what kept a disciple going? What was it that he saw when he closed his eyes? What was it that he was willing to die for? (And Peter did die for this) This chapter wraps Peter’s beliefs up quite nicely. He tells us who he believes God is and what is going on here on earth. He explains where he finds his hope. This is a man who believes that God keeps His promises in His timing and will keep them with us as well. Allow Peter’s faith to encourage you today. Spend some time talking to the same God today that Peter talked to thousands of years ago.