Daily Devotions

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Book of Galatians

Posting daily, Monday – Saturday, starting October 24, 2022.
 

These devotions are based on a letter that Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians. You can read about how Paul planted these churches on his first missionary journey in Acts 13-14. Like in other letters Paul writes because of an issue that is disrupting the church. People were losing sight of the grace that gave them this new life of freedom in Christ. They were going back to a life of “slavery” to Judaistic legalism, with the act of circumcision becoming the indicator of discipleship instead of faith leading to transformed lives. The issue is relevant today because at risk here is the grace, or unmerited, surprising love of God in Jesus that is often missed in the pursuit of holiness (maintaining “God’s standards”) because of a reluctance to listen to the Spirit. I pray that through these devotions you will (re)discover that grace! For an overview of Galatians please watch: Watch Here

Remember, these are devotions – it is not a study. Please first pray asking God to speak to you, read the passage at least twice, then the devotion. Use the questions to help you think about how the passage relates to you, then pray the prayer I’ve written, it may be more important than the devotion! May I suggest you write your own prayer that is more relevant to your situation and add it to the comments for others to be encouraged? Or maybe you have a question/comment that others can respond to. If you have a personal question/comment please email me directly. I’ve also chosen a song for you to listen at the end of each devotion. Be blessed!

Week 3, Tuesday, Mark 3:1-6

 Mark Devotions

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram
 
 

Go To Mark 3:1-6

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Jesus looks “at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts…” (v.5).

Jesus’ critics were waiting to find fault with him for doing the work of healing on the Sabbath. It’s astonishing how we can completely miss the obvious because of our preoccupation with our own agendas and distorted vision. What could be more obvious than doing God’s good work on God’s holy Day? Jesus does two things; first he shows anguish at his critics’ attitude – he knows that they are missing the point of religion, which was to experience a loving God even through the good He wants to do through us. Secondly he heals the man, criticism notwithstanding, showing he would rather face opposition and act in mercy than let someone continue alone in their suffering.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I wonder if my attitudes seem distorted to you, and thus cause you anguish. Help me understand that your love and my prejudice cannot co-exist; there can be only one or the other. Forgive me for the distress I cause you. Heal me of my blindness when I cannot see the suffering of a sister, brother, or neighbor. And thank you for never giving up on me, because I know you keep giving me opportunities to touch people outside my “comfort zone” with your love which has the power to change people, circumstances. And yes, myself too. Amen.

Listen to Song


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Week 3, Monday, Mark 2:23-28

 Mark Devotions

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram
 

Go To Mark 2:23-28

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Sabbath keeping was/is an integral part of the Jewish faith. It was a day that was to be set apart for God, mandated by Old Testament Law, and the orthodox Jew insisted on keeping it. Unfortunately we in the Christian world have lost the meaning of the Sabbath, much like the religious orthodox had during Jesus’ time. Jesus was reminding them (and us) that it’s not about things that you should do or should not do on this special day. That was not why God ordained Sabbath for His people. God “gifted” us with the Sabbath (or “set apart”/ “special”/ “Holy” day) so that we could use opportunities that Day provides to draw closer to him, for him to restore us, refresh us. We should want to use the Day to fulfill the desire to grow in our experience of a loving God in every way possible – worship, study, prayer, family-building, neighbor-loving… Do we use our Sundays that way?

 

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for a Day when I can focus exclusively on you. I know you take pleasure when I worship you with others in your house, and forgive me when I neglect to do so. But you also want me to take the Day to experience you in my family, with those you have put in my life. You want me to find ways to focus on you so much that your love spills out in everything that I do that Day. Maybe then I will learn to experience you more and more the rest of the week as well. Teach me to desire you more than anything else. Amen.

Song: Listen to Song

 

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Week 2, Saturday, Mark 2:18-22

MARK DEVOTIONS

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram
 

GO TO Mark 2:18-22

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Jesus is not doing away with fasting. In fact, he says that there will come a time when fasting will be needed. However important is the oft neglected Spiritual Discipline of fasting, Jesus is really talking about something else. With Jesus coming into the world people no longer need depend on ritualistic actions in trying to come closer to God. With Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God before us now, the question is, “Do I want to relate to him personally, directly, as MY Savior and Lord? Or do I still want to rely in doing the same thing over and over again with little meaning, and more out of habit? Things like ‘giving my dues’, or giving my attendance at worship at regular intervals, or doing a sacrificial deed now and then.” Jesus has provided a new and direct way (Hebrews 10:20) to know God, which makes doing all the above meaningful only after we’ve given ourselves completely to Him, and not the other way around.

 

Prayer: Forgive me Lord, when I think that whatever I do will win favor with you, however “spiritual” they may look. I realize that all you really want is for me to accept your grace (undeserved love) in faith and grow in an ever deepening relationship with you. Then everything I do will come out of that love relationship. Isn’t that what pleases you most, Jesus? So here I am: “break me, melt me, mold me, fill me…and use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.” Amen.

LISTEN TO SONG

 

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Week 2, Friday, Mark 2:13-17

GO TO Mark 2:13-17

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

Jesus calls yet another unlikely candidate to follow him as a disciple! While walking along he calls Levi (also called Matthew, and a Jew) who is doing his work as a tax collector. Jewish tax collectors were hated by their fellow (self-respecting) Jews because they were thought of as betrayers, doing a despised job for the enemy – the Romans. Matthew obeys, leaves his job, and begins his new life as a Jesus-follower by throwing a party with other (hated) tax collectors and Jewish law breakers as invitees, and Jesus as the chief guest. When the respected religious folks found fault with Jesus’ associations, Jesus made clear his intention – his coming to earth as a human was to identify with all those lonely, excluded, despised, overlooked, broken, “needy” folk. Who do you think you are? Someone who is satisfied with their religion? Or someone who is “needy”?

Prayer: Lord, do you really care for how lonely I am, how broken and needy I am inside of me? I put on a face that shows “I’m okay”, but so often I’m far from okay. But your Word reassures me that you not only want to associate with me, you even call me to be your follower. I don’t feel worthy, Lord. But since it is you calling, I will follow. Just keep reminding me that it is not because of anything to do with me that you want me follow, it is only because you love me! Amen.

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Week 2, Thursday, Mark 2:1-12

MARK DEVOTIONS

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram
 

GO TO Mark 2:1-12

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

The place was full, and there seemed no way the paralytic could get to Jesus. How wonderful to have four friends that were caring enough to make the effort, have the imagination, possibly incur the wrath and expenses from the house owners, and send him down through a hole in the roof so that he could meet Jesus! It is interesting, but Jesus sees their faith and does two things for the paralyzed man – forgives his sins (his spiritual need) and then heals him (his physical need). Please don’t think that Jesus is saying that our sickness is because of our sins. He recognizes the legitimacy of both needs, yet he knew that the spiritual need (that always involves forgiveness in some form or the other) is far more serious, and the consequences of not addressing them far more terrible than anything else. Do you know your spiritual need that he is waiting to heal?

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people in my life that have done everything possible to bring me to your presence so that you can touch me. Forgive me for being so ungrateful for their caring, so unmindful of their faith, and so resistant to your work of transformation in my life. Not only do I want to be “made whole”, I want to be a friend to someone else that needs you as well. So here I am: I open my life to your working, O Holy Spirit. Amen.

LISTEN TO SONG

 
 

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Week 2, Wednesday, Mark 1:40-45

MARK DEVOTIONS

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram

 

GO TO Mark 1:40-45

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Leprosy (or any skin disease) was dreaded, with people having them being ostracized (excluded from) the community; it was even thought of as a sign of God’s punishment. So when the man begged Jesus for healing, he wanted more than to be well, he yearned to be accepted by his community; not live in isolation and disgrace. Notice three things that Jesus did: he showed his complete acceptance of the man even while he was diseased – he touched him (a scandalous act!). He assured the man he was willing to heal him (God’s assurance before He acts). He only then shows his power by actually healing the man (nothing is too small or impossible when God wills it). The man is healed! And all Jesus expects of him was to fulfil what was required of true worship – obedience. But does he do that?

 

Prayer: I praise and thank you Lord for being such a generous God. You give me more than I deserve and I have seen you doing the “impossible” in my own life, and in the lives of those around me. But forgive me for not recognizing you when you were indeed at work, or when I quickly forgot it, or when I just took it for granted. Forgive me that, like the healed man, I often am not obedient to worship you in obedience in the way you want me to – I want to respond to you in whatever way I feel like. Keep working in my life Lord. And will worship you your way (not mine), by being obedient to your leading. Amen.

Song: LISTEN TO SONG

 
 

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Week 2, Tuesday, Mark 1:35-39

MARK DEVOTIONS

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram
 

Go to Mark 1:35-39

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Jesus had spent a long day caring for and healing those in need. He must have been exhausted. Yet very early the next morning he wakes up, leaves the house and goes to spend time alone in prayer. I have noticed that both before and after times of great ministry Jesus would go alone to be in prayer. It was as if he couldn’t (and wouldn’t) do anything for God his Father unless it was with Him. We often think of prayer as important as food is to the body; but Jesus saw it as essential as breathing. And maybe it was because his relationship with the Father was so close, so intimate, that he wanted to pray, and didn’t just consider it a “duty.” It was like breathing…

 

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I see prayer as a chore, a weary task that you have forced on me. Maybe I don’t pray often because I’m not comfortable, it feels like a new language that takes too much effort to learn. Remind me Lord that just as a parent yearns for her child to learn to speak, and is therefore patient with her, so do you yearn for us to communicate with you – and you are patient, waiting for us to learn at our pace. Lord, I want to learn. I want to be that child that wants to speak your language, that of prayer, because I want to grow in my love for you Jesus. Amen.

LISTEN TO SONG 

 
 

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Week 2, Monday, Mark 1:29-34

MARK DEVOTIONS

by Rev. Sunil Balasundaram

 

Go to Mark 1:29-34

[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Now we know that Peter was married. And he was a responsible son-in-law, after all he had his mother-in-law living with them! He must have loved her too because how else would Jesus have learned that she was ill “with a fever” in order for him to go to Peter’s home and heal her after a worship service? The passage tells us of how Jesus never “prioritized” healing on the basis of their seriousness. Every medical problem and malady was as important to him. Jesus did not go looking for people to heal, but everyone that came to him received a gift of grace (God’s undeserved love). Does He still give that “gift of grace” to everyone that comes to Him? Yes! I do not completely understand why everyone that comes asking is not healed. There are many who are, but there are many aren’t. But that has never stopped me from asking.

 

Prayer: Great and loving God, my heart aches for those who need your power of healing in their lives and some of them do not receive it as they have asked. I know you love us, Lord Jesus; the Cross will always remind me of that. So please help my un-understanding (and maybe lack of belief) in the times you act in ways that are different to mine. I love you Lord Jesus; keep me trusting in your love and in your power. I will keep asking, even if it seems like I sound like a child who wants his way with a loving Father. You do what you have to, because that’s what you are (a loving Father), and this is who I am (your child). Amen.

Song: LISTEN to SONG


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Week 1, Saturday, Mark 1:21-28

Bible Passage

[Please read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

Note: There will be NO daily devotion tomorrow, Sunday. Hopefully most of you will be in a House of Worship listening to God yourselves. Go prepared with open hearts, though!

 

The Gospels record that Jesus never missed the opportunity to be in a House of Worship every Sabbath. And whenever asked he always taught, but always with a depth of understanding and humility that reflected his intimacy with the Father. But this time one of his hearers was a man tormented with evil. And Jesus immediately heals him. Whether or not you believe in evil spirits, you better believe that there are some whose lives are seduced and ruled by evil. They are not to be feared or despised, but instead we should have compassion on such people. Know that only a loving and powerful God can and wants to free them, and can give them a heart that responds to Him. But He wants to use you and me in this! Oh, by the way, did you notice where this event took place? A House of Worship! A reminder that we must be vigilant everywhere for the Evil one. We only need to be cautious, because he is already a defeated enemy!

 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the assurance that evil cannot stand against you. But teach me to be faithful in my worship of you so that my strength is purely based on YOU! Yes, Lord, I am willing to stand in your strength, and as you did, against evil in whatever disguise it shows itself. Only give the eyes to recognize it, the courage to face it, and the faith to overcome it in your Name. Amen.

Song


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Week 1, Friday, Mark 1:14-20

Bible Passage

[Please read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

 

There is a note of urgency at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry – “The time has come…” He wastes no time in calling his first disciples. Strange choice, though. They were…fishermen? Sure, they were working men and some even doing well – how else can you explain having “hired men”? But how knowledgeable would simple fishermen be about God, His Kingdom, and calling others to be disciples as well? Yet Jesus calls them to follow Him. And the amazing thing is that they did! They just left everything to follow this man they knew little about, for a purpose that was rather puzzling – “to fish for people.” That’s obedience! And what followed changed their own destiny and that of the world.

 

Prayer: Lord, I wonder if I’ve got things backward. The world has taught me to first know, and then do. So I wait to grow in my knowledge of you in order to do what I think you want me to do. But you really want me to be obedient first, even if I don’t understand everything. And then you will show me more of yourself; I then grow in my knowledge of you because my relationship with you grows AS I FOLLOW you. I want to be your disciple Jesus. Let my song be, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back!” Amen.

Song


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