Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.
Summary: The story Paul tells about his travels sounds different than the story Luke tells us about Paul. When we consider how people tell stories, the differences disappear, and a more detailed picture emerges.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:21 – Timelines”I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.
Summary: Paul gives us a brief glimpse of his visit to Jerusalem after his conversion.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:19 – Checking In”… my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
Summary: There comes a time in most people’s lives when we have to make a choice. Who are we going to serve? Who are we going to follow? The ultimate choice is choosing between personal pride and submitting to God.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:16c – Choosing Jesus”… so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,
Summary: Change can be good, but it is always change, and change requires that we let go of the old and embrace the new.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:16b – One-Eighty”… was pleased to reveal his Son in me …
Summary: Our brain is a marvelous tool, but we have to double check its work to make sure we are on the right track.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:15c-16a – Auto-Correct”But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb …
Summary: God sees us for what we are, even when we can’t.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:15a – Zizanion”I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Summary: Learning about Jesus can be dangerous if our knowledge becomes our god.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:14 – Zealous for Jesus”… how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
Summary: In this passage Paul recounts his misguided attempts to serve God by persecuting believers in Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13b – Stupid Games”… For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage give us pause for thought. If you could take a “before” and “after” picture of yourself before and after meeting Jesus, what would be different?
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus”I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it;
Summary: Where we get our information matters. If we learn from people who teach opinions instead of fact, we live under the burden of their ignorance. When we see the light of Truth, everything changes.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:12a – When Everything Changes”