Great Plains Daily Devotional for 6/24/2022

Galatians 4:8-20

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow, I have wasted my efforts on you.

I plead with you, brothers, and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.  As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.  Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.  It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.  My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

After reading Paul’s concern for the Galatians in their falling away from the truth brings us to looking into our own lives and what direction we are taking. There are questions that we need to ask ourselves periodically. Are we serving God or ourselves?  Are we headed in the right direction with our lives? What are our priorities in life? How can we serve God in a better and more efficient way? By asking ourselves these questions, we identify the truth in ourselves.

The truth will lead to God. Or stating it another way and be honest with yourself. Do you love God? Without God’s love coming to us through his Son, Jesus Christ, we would never be in the position to love anyone, much less ourselves.

Once we face the truth that God is love and his love in us sets us free, then our life can change for the best. The chains of sin are broken with Jesus. Thanks be to God!

-- Brad Zimmerman, pastor
Bucklin UMC
bzimmerman@greatplainsumc.org

Prayer for Reflection

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a 
Psalm 42 and 43
Isaiah 65:1-9 
Psalm 22:19-28
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39