Devo Galatians 4

Galatians 4:12-20
12. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done
me no wrong. 13. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached
the gospel to you. 14. 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. 15. What has happened to all your joy? I
can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and
given them to me. 16. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17. 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 be zealous for them. 18. It is fine to be
zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am
with you. 19. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth
until Christ is formed in you, 20. how I wish I could be with you now and change
my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Meditation:
1. God uses the raw material of our lives – circumstances, family, and personality
– to conform us to the image of Christ. This is God’s formation work in
us. We can choose to continue to depend on the do’s and don’ts to pursue
perfection, or we can choose to rely on the Holy Spirit and allow Christ to
rule every aspect of my life, to reflect Christ’s image, Christ’s character and
Christ’s beauty through us.
2. Every time I cry to God with the simple prayers: “Lord, I belong to you! Lord,
help me! Lord, have mercy on me! Lord, I thank you! Lord, I love you!…”,
it is my choice to rely on the Spirit. How many times last week have I cried
out to God with the short prayers to tell God and myself that I love Him and
I choose to rely on Him for every day of my life?

Personal Note:
Paul was very concern for his followers.  They seemed to go back to the old ways of life.  How often do I try to rely on my own strength independent of the Holy Spirit's leading?  Do I feel the pains of childbirth like Paul when people turn away to the old ways of life.

I was listening to a radio program and it says that 60% of believers age 18-29 will leave the church.  It is sad to hear this and let's persevere like Paul in the midst of pain and rely on the Spirit and cry out to God for mercy for our generation.