“The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:13).

Humans are carried away by the movement of crowds.  This is where the absolute sovereignty of God is important to understand.  It will be God’s way.  We cannot vote morality or change what God has spoken.  Somehow though, we have this tendency to make legitimate through crowd appeal that which is antithetical to the will of the Father.  Be led by the Lord and not by any crowd.

Lord, You know my heart and those places where I am influenced by others and not led by You.  How easy it is to be led astray.  Build strength of character such that I do not fall prey to the wiles of the wicked one nor succumb to my pride.  Keep me on the straight and narrow path of salvation that I may live into the likeness of Christ and exemplify the new man who no longer is the old Adam.

Lord Jesus, without You all of this is impossible, but with You it is already promised.  Lead me this day to be a person of integrity who is the same at all times.  You know where I need to be corrected and You know where I need to hold fast.  Guide me, Lord, that I may be led by You and the will of the Father.  Keep me from being led astray by the fickle whims of this age.  Amen.

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:11-12).

Whom do you fear?  Do you not know that all of your deeds are seen by God, whereas we see little of what really is happening in others.  God is truth and the truth shall be revealed.  Yes, in this age people play games.  We are to forgo those games and live humble lives that are truthful and not pretentious.  Come then and live in the truth and abandon those ways which are unacceptable to God.

Lord, reveal in me those places where I do play games and do not live as I ought.  Help me to live into the life to which You have called me that I may be guided by Your grace and mercy.  Let me not be caught playing games I ought not play, but instead, live the life to which You have called me.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of grace and truth that I may be a witness of Your grace to others.

Lord Jesus, You know the truth for You are the truth.  Lead me this day under Your guidance that I would be honest in all I say and do.  Help me, O Lord, that I may not play the human games, but instead be one of integrity in attitude and demeanor.  Guide me that what I do in private is also what I do in public, and all for the glory of the Father.  Amen.

“Recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.  They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do” (Galatians 2:9-10).

The church has always had those who were above and those who were out in the field.  The Lord is a Lord of order.  He calls and sends.  This does not mean that those above are beyond reproach, nor does it mean that they are not to be honored as those whom God appointed.  In all things that Lord brings balance.  Be led then in the truth of the balance the Lord gives that you may be whole even as He is whole.

Lord, I am often not content with where You have placed me.  I want something other than what I have.  Lord, guide me away from discontent to the place of thankfulness.  Lead me according to Your mercy to know that all things are in Your hands and they will be what they will be and that there is nothing I can do that will change what will be.  Lead me to be thankful in and through all things.

Come, Holy Spirit, and point out those places in my life where I need to be gracious and thankful.  Guide me to know that in You is all hope and that apart from You is nothing.  You have appointed whom You have chosen and You uplift whom You uplift.  Uplift me to walk in Your guidance and live according to the Father’s plan that I would in all things be faithful.  Amen.

“But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)” (Galatians 2:7-8)

There is One Lord and one faith.  We work for the same Lord.  The devil has been good at getting the faithful to rip into one another over the things upon which they do not agree.  Our faith is focused upon our Lord, so look to Him and give thanks that You have been called through Him by faith and grace into the eternal life which He has prepared for those who believe.  We are all of the same heritage in believing the Good News.

Lord, whether I am right about some things or not, You have given me the gift of faith as You have to many others.  Help me to see through the deceits of the devil lest I fall prey to hating instead of loving.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that all whom You have saved by grace are my brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter the path You have chosen for them.  Guide me Lord in the path You have made.

Lord Jesus, You prayed that we would be one even as You and the Father are One.  Lead me, Lord, in the oneness You intend not with compromise, but with integrity.  Help me to know the lines You have created and to stay within those lines.  Teach me the boundaries of Your love and lead me to the outermost places of love that I would not stay in the place of division and hatred.  Amen.

“But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.  But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me” (Galatians 2:5-6).

Do not be influenced by those who have position in this world.  Yes, we are to be subject to those whom God appoints to leadership, but that does not mean we need follow false doctrine no matter who speaks it.  The Word has been given and the Lord uses whom He will to accomplish what He will.  Do not yield to anyone but the Lord and follow Him all the days of your life.

Lord, I am very much influenced by those around me in this world.  Not all have You in their heart and I am tugged by all kinds of things.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not yield to what is false but hold fast to You in whom is all truth.  Guide me, O Lord, now and always in the way You have established that I may not wander nor be led astray.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming and setting us free from the recompense of sin.  Lead me now this day in the way of truth that I may walk humbly with You and be guided by all that You have taught.  Let me not be led astray by those with smooth words, but open my ears to hear Your voice above the noise of this world.  Let me not be concerned with what others think, but instead only with the desire to be Yours.  Amen.

“But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.  But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage” (Galatians 2:3-4).

Legalism sneaks in time and time again.  Yes, God’s law is good, but we are not expected to live out all the law.  We cannot.  If we could, we would have no need for a savior.  Besides, circumcision was a sign and not the promise.  Christ has fulfilled for us all that need be done, so why the sign? Yet, there are those who will insist that we must do this or that when what we need is Christ’s salvation.

Lord, I know that I am unable to fulfil the law.  I also know the law is good and as far as I am able, I am to uphold what You have commanded.  Lord, keep me from those who make life difficult and want other things added to the faith.  Help me to live in the liberty You give by grace that I may walk the narrow path and go where You lead me.  Guide me through those who would hinder me.

Lord Jesus, In You alone is all hope.  You have come that we might have life and have it abundantly.  You have freed us from the trap of trying to appease or please in order to live seeking to be conformed to Your image.  Lead me this day, O Lord, and keep me from those who would wrap me up in the nonsense of legalism or the false freedom of doing what pleases me.  Amen.

“Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain” (Galatians 2:1-2).

Accountability is a significant part of walking in the one true faith.  There is only one Gospel and we should be diligent to get it right.  Yet, there are also many tugs and battles that have gone on over the years.  Take care in what You say in defense of the Gospel, yet be firm in conviction and do not take lightly the call the Lord has given you concerning these things.  We each have our part.

Lord, lead me in the way You know will take me to that place where I faithfully live out Your Gospel of truth.  Let me not be led astray by those who are clever or think of something new, but by the good and true Gospel which is Your message of hope.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led.  Teach me, O Lord, and I will know.  Guide me, O Lord, and I will follow.  In all things, surround me with those who will hold me accountable.

Lord Jesus, You have come to show the way and those who have followed either show the way You have carved, or else have led astray those who follow along different paths.  Help me see clearly the one true path You have carved through Your death and resurrection that I may walk faithfully with You my Lord and God.  Keep me close to You now and always that I may learn to be whom You are making me to be.  Amen.

“I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.”  And they were glorifying God because of me” (Galatians 1:22-24).

In those days there was no way of knowing what someone looked like.  Photography had not yet been invented.  It may seem obvious, but technology does change how we understand things.  People were amazed at his story.  Share your story, for we each have a story of faith to share and we do not know how the Lord will use that story to impact other’s lives.  Seek the Lord and share what you have found.

Lord, I too often focus upon myself.  Take me away from thinking in terms of self and help me look outward that I may see things as they are and not as I want to see them.  You have given me a testimony based upon the faith I have.  Lead me in that faith that I would live into the life for which You have created me.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me go that way.

Lord Jesus, You said the sheep would know Your voice.  I might not recognize You if You stood beside me, but I would know Your voice.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You have established and guide me according to the goodness of the Father’s mercy to come to the place where my actions bring Him glory and are in accord with His will.  Through all things, may I be eternally grateful for the grace and mercy You have lavished upon me.  Amen.

“(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)  Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia” (Galatians 1:20-21).

How cynical we are in the face of truth and how accepting we are of the lies of this age.  If nothing else, this should speak to you of the truth that we are fighting against principalities and powers and not flesh and blood.  But then, you will find this hard to swallow while accepting something else that is really quite preposterous.  So it is in this age of shadows and clouds that hide the Truth.

Lord, open my eyes to see truth.  Open my ears to hear truth.  Open my eyes and ears to know when lies are being spoken.  Help me to be a person of truth who see through the lies of this age and lives into the promise You have given through faith.  Shape my faith, O Lord, and build me into the character You have intended me to be.  Through all things, keep my eyes upon You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way.  There are those who think that You are lying.  Let me not listen to them, but listen to You who alone knows the way of everlasting life.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You know I need to go that I may be built up according to Your will and way.  Lead me by whatever route You know I need to go and help me to be willing to travel the roads You set before me.  Amen.

“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.  But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:18-19).

The modern world looks at things and thinks all of this is made up.  Paul was out preaching the same message as Peter whom he never met.  Look at the simple statement and see that the same Lord is guiding all who are walking in the truth of the Gospel.  Be led not by what you hear in this world, but by the truth which has been spoken once for all through the Gospel of our Lord.

Lord, You have come to lead the way for all who hear Your voice and follow You.  Come, Lord Jesus, and lead me in the way of truth that I may now and always be guided by what You have revealed.  Let me not be carried away by the insanity of this world, but be guided, as You guided those of old, by the one truth You have revealed by grace that I may live through faith unto life eternal.

Lord Jesus, You reveal to those who listen the truth that was spoken first through the prophets and then through You.  Lead me in the truth of this and every age that I may walk in the newness of life that You alone give.  Help me filter out the voices that are contrary and open my ears to Your Word of truth.  Through all things may I be guided by You into life eternal.  Amen.