Scripture: Galatians 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 2:20-21 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In this chapter of Galatians, Paul shares something that he had just witnessed with Peter, his fellow worker, where he was trying to be a witness to the Galatians yet trying to get them to follow His old Jewish traditions. I believe that this is something we have to be so careful with in the church. While I realize that our efforts to serve Jesus and live for Him will mean using our sinful selves, yet I am convinced that everything we do as a body must be so filled with God’s love and His desires for a righteous church. We must model His example in such a way that non-Christians will want to accept Jesus and follow Him, because of us. Much too often we allow our old worldly actions in and we look for ways to bless others so that praise may come to us personally. When we example Paul, and our Master, we will want to do those things that bring praise to God, for it is He who lives in us, it is He who gives us the strength and ability to help others, it is He who died on Calvary that we might have life eternal and therefore minister to others about that life. Let us therefore be transparent in our ministry so that all the praise may go straight up to heaven, to our Creator and Savior of this world. It is then Lord Jesus, that we can truly release any sense of self involvement and truly let our praises be lifted to You in singing, To God Be the Glory, Great Things You have Done, and it is with that acknowledgment that we will see others come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Please grant this in my life Lord Jesus, and touch the lives of others that may read this devotional, so that our work here on earth will simply be a conduit through which Your will might be accomplished. Thank You Lord Jesus for using humble vessels such as us through which Your mighty works may be accomplished!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

I am tempted to question why You would use servants, earthly vessels, such as myself and other Christians, to accomplish Your mighty works. But Lord, I would ask afresh this day that You cleanse me of all unworthiness, all sin, all selfish desires except that desire to serve You as my soon coming King. Then, through this cleansed and holy vessel I would humbly ask that You use me in ways that may bring You honor and glory, and in ministering to the needs of the unsaved, that others may be encouraged to accept You as Lord and personal Savior. I believe that the time of Your return is near when You will call all those that remain on this earth to meet You in the air. I praise You today for having spoken to my sinful heart, convincing me of my sin, and giving me the boldness to seek after, and accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. Use me Lord so that others may be similarly affected and consequently accept You as their personal Savior. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” May that be evident in my life, dear Lord.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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