Discipleship Point
Galatians 5:13-18
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Our discipleship point comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
As we ponder how much God values people despite their sinfulness, let’s consider how we can use our God-given, Christ-purchased freedom to serve others humbly in love. From these inspired Words of God, we move into a prayer written by a fellow disciple who lived 800 hundred years ago. Known as Francis of Assisi, he founded the monasteries whose monks are known as Franciscans.
Discipleship Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 103:7-12
- He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel: - The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love. - He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever; - he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities. - For as high as the heavens
are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him; - as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Ephesians 2:4-5
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich
in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you
have been saved.
Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Micro-Meditation Pondering Point
At times we hold onto that which God lets go of: Our sin. Guilt and shame are key contributors to this problem. Let God help you let go of sin, shame, and guilt.