The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 23:17 (HCSB)
17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 65:5 (HCSB)
5 You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas.
Psalm 65:11 (HCSB)
11 You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Galatians 6:1-5 (HCSB)
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won't be tempted.
2 Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.
5 For each person will have to carry his own load.
My observation:
Today we come to the conclusion of our walk through Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. Paul deals with the heartbreaking issue of wrongdoing. He exhorts them to be caring, and to guard their own hearts.
I notice this phase in Paul's instruction, "You who are spiritual". This is a revelation of truth that how you respond to one who has fallen reveals something about your own walk with the Lord. The response of one who is spiritual shows a person who is meek, gentle, and humble.
I recall a pastor, who was the bible hour speaker at a Gideons International convention that I attended, share his experience of dealing with men who he personally knew who were caught up in wrongdoing.
He said he had a notebook that he kept, that had the names of 80 men. He said he used this list to pray for these men, and to remind himself that I would be on this list except for the grace of God. He shared this with a broken heart as a warning and an encouragement to us to guard our hearts.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you have a compassionate heart for those who commit wrongdoing.
Father, I ask that you give me a compassionate heart; one that is meek, gentle, and humble so that I might be in the class that Paul addressed in his letter as, "You who are spiritual". Father, cover me and shield me with your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
5 To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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