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Read: Galatians 1:6-10
Meditation: Paul expresses his amazement of how quick the church
in Galatia could abandon their faith. He warns us of people who may seem
to be preaching the Gospel, but in reality are only perverting it. If it’s
not the Gospel of Christ risen for all of us, then it is false; and with
that teaching comes eternal condemnation. Paul tells us not to pervert
the Gospel to satisfy ourselves or other people, rather hold firmly to
our beliefs, which is Christ, crucified for all.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to believe that your Gospel, your
saving grace is for me and all others. Be with me as I witness, and help
me to always be true to your word. Help me to recognize the false
teachers of today, so that I may not be lead astray or lead others
astray with my teaching. 
Read: Galatians 1:11-24
Meditation: When people call us liar’s or deceivers because of the
teaching that we have, we can be assured in the fact that this teaching did
not come from a man, but from God. Paul was mocked by many people, even some
of the Jewish Christians of that time. Paul did not let this get him down.
Paul continued to preach the Gospel revealed to him by Christ, without
fluttering in the mocking that was thrown at him. He later went to
fellowship with Peter and the other apostles, and people rejoiced in the
fact that Jesus was being served by one who persecuted him in the past.
People will try to slander us and make us feel like we are not worthy. The
truth is however, that Jesus makes everyone of us worthy to do his service,
we only have to open our eyes to see Jesus.
Prayer Starter: Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus. Reveal him to
me Lord, so that I may see the purpose that you have set forth for my life.
Lead me to people who will encourage me, not to people who will bring me
down. Thank you Jesus, for picking me.
Read: Galatians 2:1-10
Meditation: Paul seems to express that there is still a thorn in his
side telling him he is not worthy to be a servant of Christ. However, when
people would come at him with law and tried to take away the freedom that
Paul felt in Christ, Paul stood firm. He continued to serve Christ as
fervently as he had when he was first called to do so. Eventually, Paul was
recognized by Peter, James, John and the other Apostles as a messenger to
the Gentiles. Through Paul’s faith, and his firm belief in his calling,
Paul was recognized for what he was called to do. When we are called, many
will try and put us down. They will bring stuff out of our past that attacks
not only our flesh, but also our spirit. We are already forgiven for these
things. If we give in, we have failed at delivering Jesus’ message, and
our lives become suspect. But if, like Paul, we remain firm, people will
notice, and offer their hand of fellowship to us.
Prayer Starter: Thank you Jesus for making me worthy to serve you.
Help me stand firm in your word and your calling, and help those around me
accept this calling that you have given me.
Read: Galatians 2:11-21
Meditation: Sometimes even people who are our teachers get caught up
in the traditions of their church or this world. When that happens, we are
to hold them accountable and go to them with love and present our case to
them. Paul and Peter are two of the greatest leaders ever to bear the cross
of Christ, and yet here they are in an argument. Paul didn’t make a public
spectacle of it. He went to Peter and talked to him about it with love. Paul
was never self-righteous about what he believed, and through his willingness
to oppose Peter in a humble way, they came to an agreement on something that
could have seriously divided them. All he did was present Christ to Peter,
and reminded him that if our earthly means proved salvation, than Christ
died for nothing.
Prayer Starter: Help me Father to talk to my Christian brethren in a
humble way when I oppose them. Help me to be open to others feelings, but
brave enough to defend your Gospel.
Read: Galatians 3:1-14
Meditation: Paul asks us, "Are we saved by observing the law, or
by believing Jesus death on the cross." Abraham was justified by God
not by his works, but by his faith. With that faith, Abraham received his
reward, a reward he would never lay his eyes on. By faith, we are all
members of the same family. We are neither Jew or Gentile; Lutheran or
Methodist; Baptist or Episcopalian. We are all children of the same God.
Therefore, it is not by worldly or church tradition that we are saved, it is
by our faith. If we rely solely on our traditions, we are not saved, rather
we are cursed. We should open our hearts to everyone, because everyone
shares in the promise of Abraham.
Prayer Starter: Father, help me to understand the difference between
law and Gospel. Help me to understand that I am cursed by law, yet saved by
the Gospel. Help me to stand firmly in that Spirit, so that it may also be
credited to me as righteousness.
Read: Galatians 3:15-29
Meditation: Since we have Jesus, is the law pointless? Paul says
no! The law was put into place so that we my be convinced that we are
sinners, therefore we become able to accept the promise. Jesus didn’t
come to change the law, but to fulfill it. Paul is very direct. The law
was put into place to lead us to Christ. Because of this faith, the law
still serves a purpose, but has no supervision over us.
Prayer Starter: Thank you Jesus for your willingness to fulfill
this law. Without your grace, I never could have endured to earn enough
righteousness to live with You for eternity. Help me to discern between
law and Gospel. Help me to realize that salvation can’t come from the
law. Only the promise comes from the law, and it’s that promise, when
I believe in it, that I am saved.
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