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It's sad but true. Humanity, every single one of us, have moments of desperation. We don't anticipate it. We don't want it. But we all experience it. Our study today reflects on how an Old Testament prophet dealt with an unexpected and desperate situation. Nehemiah 1-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you want to get a message across to someone you care about, do you find yourself repeating that message? That's what Paul is doing here as he wraps up his letter to the church in Galatia, and by extension, to us. Galatians 6:11-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Using all caps in messages today is considered shouting. If this passage were shouting, we might consider that motivated by the importance of what's being said. But could it perhaps be more about compassion? We'll look at the conclusion to Paul's letter in this study. Galatians 6:11-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever been given a house plant? If you think about it, you're also being given a task. Put a plant on the kitchen table and ignore it, and rather soon, the plant will expire. It needs occasional water. We've been talking about sowing. In this study, we'll get a bit more insight into what's involved in that sowing. Galatians 6:6-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conform. Ever heard that? Have you ever been told that conformity is how we keep the peace, especially in a church setting? While each situation is different, our study today looks at a character who embodies the complete opposite of conformity. And a character used by God. Judges 15:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“You reap what you sow.” A familiar phrase, and one perhaps associated more commonly with bad seed or wild oats. Now that we've celebrated the work of faith alone in our salvation, Paul now circles back to address the place of sowing in our Christian walk. Galatians 6:6-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The selfie… a photo, or a hint at one of the challenges of maintaining a vibrant church community? The Apostle Paul sets an agenda for a grace-filled church, and we'll explore that agenda in this study. Galatians 6:1-5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We evaluate peoples' character in numerous ways. One factor with strong influence is whether or not an individual follows through on promises made. If someone says they're going to provide, and then fails to provide, our opinion of them is affected. Today's study explores the danger of that skepticism leaking into our spiritual life. Galatians 5:19-26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On stage versus backstage… You've probably experienced it. Someone says one thing, but once the spotlight is turned off, that person is completely different. Our study today helps us check out our walk to make sure it's genuine. Galatians 5:19-26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I see you have a lot of electrical outlets in your house, but nothing is plugged into them.” “Oh, yeah, well… I don't understand electricity so I figure it's best not to use it.” Calling that interaction “odd” would be an understatement. But do we do that very thing with the Holy Spirit? We'll explore that question today. Galatians 5:16-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It all worked out for the good.” You've heard that, right? A guaranteed outcome? Not by a long shot. But, with God, there is always the possibility of the worst pain being used for good. Our study will explore this possibility. Judges 15:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your assignment: describe oxygen. What color is it? What's its shape? What does it remind you of? An odd assignment, right? Easier just to move on? Similar to if you were asked to describe the Holy Spirit? The Apostle Paul wants to make sure we don't just move on when it comes to the Spirit, and provides an analogy that we'll look at in this study. Galatians 5:16-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever hear of fake freedom? Perhaps you can bring to mind a personal experience with “freedom” that really wasn't free. Our study of Galatians continues with Paul continuing to exhort us to understand real freedom. Galatians 5:13-15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Set it free! If you're referring to water, and you take the container holding that water and tip it over, you've set the water “free,” if you will. The problem is, that water has far less usefulness spilled out on the ground than contained and accessible for cleaning, drinking, or a myriad of other purposes. What does it mean to be “free” in a Gospel sense and how does that relate to service? We're exploring those questions in this study. Galatians 5:13-15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul tells Timothy to correct others with gentleness. And yet in this passage, Paul demonstrates a bit more of a punch in his rebukes. What's the balance, and what's the admonition to us? We'll explore those questions today. Galatians 5:7-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boldness versus loving our neighbor. We're heading into a passage where Paul demonstrates the use of such powerful language that some question if he even said what's found here. What does this passage have to say regarding political correctness in our society? We'll look at language, love, and truth in this study. Galatians 5:7-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the surface, you may automatically reject the idea that “bigger is better.” But what happens if we stop and look at our value system? What if we look at how we regard those around us? Is it possible that “bigger is better” can use a back entrance and sneak its way into our thinking? Another study ahead of us today on the fascinating Old Testament character of Samson. Judges 14:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“No cost, nothing you need to do, free.” Is freedom an absolutely hands-off luxury? Or is there a responsibility we have to protect our freedom? We'll look at these questions in this study. Galatians 5:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“My freedom requires you to give up what you consider your freedom.” While you might not hear it verbalized that way, that's the essence of what is happening around us. Our society has what could be considered a twisted view of freedom, especially when compared to the freedom that is offered to us spiritually. We'll explore the richness of that freedom in our study today. Galatians 5:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Birth order studies are fascinating. Older brothers, younger sisters, only children… there's a good bit of consistency in the characteristics ascribed to each category. So, what is the spiritual equivalent to the sibling that gets blamed for everything, run over, or just plain ignored? We'll look at spiritual family parallels in today's study. Galatians 4:21-31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Offer the phrase “identity crisis” to five different people and you will generate five different stressful scenarios. The search for identity transcends age, career, status or family. In today's study, Paul steps up and tells us believers to make sure we are clearly aware of what our identity is. Galatians 4:21-31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Becoming a pastor is easy, right? Do some studying, find a church, and you're good to go! Obviously that's not the case. But is it perhaps even more complicated than we might imagine? We'll look at the complex layering making up a Gospel pastor in this study. Galatians 4:17-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is just no possible way the main character is getting out of this mess. Despite racking your brain, doom is pretty much guaranteed. But then, the most unlikely solution pops up, surprises everyone, and our hero drives away. There are a number of instances where the Old Testament character Samson fits this model. We'll look at one of those in this study. Judges 14:1-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zeal is good! But clearly, it's not always right. Imagine you're part of a group who are very zealous about your belief that the earth is flat. Get as zealous as you want during your monthly meetings, but the astronauts are still going to look at you sideways. Spiritual zeal also has its positives and its negatives, and we'll look at that continuum in this study. Galatians 4:17-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good news! You're in! You've been welcomed into an incredible relationship full of joy, hope, and a future. So… why don't you feel any joy? It's certainly a valid question. We'll look at the diagnostics in this study. Galatians 4:8-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you were shopping for a car, and upon popping open the hood, saw a gaping hole where the engine was supposed to be, the deal would lose its luster rather quickly. What are the signs that our faith might be looking good on the outside, but we're lacking any power under our spiritual hood? We'll offer up some diagnostic tools in today's study. Galatians 4:8-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the highest form of spirituality sacrificing what we want and who we are? Or is there a component of God being worshipped when we fully use the skills and follow the ambitions He has planted within us? The question of what true holiness is will be explored in today's study. Galatians 4:1-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Structure is good, right? When you enter a building, you trust that it is structurally sound. But what happens when the structure starts becoming more important than the reason you've entered that building? Does structure make its way into how we address the Gospel? We'll look at these questions in this study. Galatians 4:1-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to write a good fictional hero character? Make sure that character has at least one fatal flaw. Want to turn over all aspects of your life in a move of ultimate trust? Might be better to head towards a flawless record. We'll continue our study of Sampson as we differentiate between human achievement and God's transcendence. Judges 13:1-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You have accepted your punishment, served the time you were sentenced to, and are then released from prison. But the law that you violated hasn't changed. It still carries consequences if you break it again. In a spiritual sense, what is our relationship to the law once we have accepted Christ's offer of salvation? Is it the same, or does it change? We'll look at this question today. Galatians 3:23-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are your future goals shaping up? Are you anticipating great things on your horizon? Are those goals starting to come together? When it comes to spiritual goals, is it possible that the richness of a full spiritual life already exists and it's our job to simply move into it? Subtle but important distinctions being discussed in this study. Galatians 3:23-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may have heard of organizations that start the process of building you up, by first breaking you down. Indoctrination requires the sacrifice of everything you walk through that door with. Is that the purpose of the law? Is total depravity an essential reality of a true Gospel message? We'll navigate these questions in this study. Galatians 3:19-22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is the dream of many a workshop owner to have a bigger tool box. And while having more tools means you're ready when you need a certain tool, not all tools are used on all jobs. Is there a spiritual toolbox, and if so, what are those tools and when are they used? We'll explore those questions in this study. Galatians 3:19-22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever tried your hand at the carnival game called “Whack-a-Mole?” Fun for a while perhaps, but eventually fatigue sets in. Ever thought about the possibility of a spiritual version of Whack-a-Mole?” Josh will introduce us to that very thing in this study. Galatians 3:15-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The irony is sometimes frustrating. Our God given minds have limitations as to our ability to imagine… God! We have limited scope when it comes to seeing the ways out of a problem until we remember that God is much bigger. Is there a way to live that consistently taps into a “bigger God” approach to challenges? What can we learn from Sampson that is usable for us today? We'll explore these questions in this study. Judges 13:1-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Christian life is hard! Ever heard that? Ever said that? Is it possible that when that statement lands for us, it's because we've taken on more responsibility for our salvation than we're supposed to? We'll look at that question today. Galatians 3:15-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are two kinds of gifts, those with batteries included, and those with batteries NOT included. Clearly, the joy level is higher when batteries are included… Tongue firmly in cheek perhaps, but what if we receive the gift of salvation and then are told that “batteries are not included?” More needs to be done. Our study today looks at the potential that this mindset is all around us. Galatians 3:10-14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're asked to locate the Gospels in the Bible. Completely understandable that you're going to immediately head to the start of the New Testament. But are you familiar with the Gospel of Abraham? We'll look for it in today's study. Galatians 3:6-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once DNA testing became commonly available, many jumped in to explore their roots. “Today” became far more interesting when connected to “yesterday.” Is there an equivalent with the Bible? Is the common sense of detachment we may feel from Old Testament characters justified, or is there in fact an ancestral connection? We'll check out the family tree in this study. Galatians 3:6-9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you've seen video of someone holding a dog high and dry over a body of water and the dog is “dog paddling” with its front legs. An instinctual response, but not really accomplishing anything. Are there equivalent responses that we have to the gospel? Do we feel the need to “help” our salvation along? We'll continue our look at the extent of the gospel in today's study. Galatians 3:1-5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How powerful is our worldview? Is such a question even important? In our study, we'll explore the potential of a God-centered worldview, where it may show up, and how to pursue it. Judges 11:1-28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever reached a point of frustration in a conversation and wanted to shout out, “Can you just tell me what you're thinking?” We have a prime example of the Apostle Paul reaching that point in our study today. Galatians 3:1-5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you've heard the phrase that gained some momentum a few decades ago: “Jesus is my friend.” A true statement for believers for sure. But does having Jesus as a friend leave us well short of the riches available to us? We'll continue our exploration of what the true Gospel is all about. Galatians 2:19-21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your cup of coffee is lacking contact with actual ground coffee, you're basically drinking hot water. Not all that exciting. On a much more important level, what happens to the Gospel if we leave the cross out of it? A minor omission? Or a massive deletion of power and joy? We'll explore this question today. Galatians 2:19-21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe it's maturity, or maybe it's discernment. It's that feeling when you're offered something for nothing and you immediately analyze the offer to figure out if there's a “gotcha” lurking behind it. So, can we fully understand the Gospel without checking to see if there is fine print? Josh Moody leads us into Paul's discussion objections, and ironically, their value. Galatians 2:17-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it possible that we unknowingly carry around a flawed understanding of what it means to be saved? What is justification? Is it just a fancy theological term, or something of unexplored power? We're heading deeper into our pursuit of an understanding of this incredible concept in our study today. Galatians 2:15-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Give up all your rights! Okay, sign me up. Not really, right? But is that the core of submitting? Or does the Biblical exhortation to submit mean something full of richness and promise? We'll look at those questions today. Judges 11:1-28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our study is a review of Jewish laws that were relevant a couple thousand years ago, right? Maybe there are lessons that can be synthesized from what that church was experiencing in that society. Or…. Perhaps the real truth is that this is very much on the nose for exactly what's happening in our world and our neighborhoods today. We'll explore that idea in this study. Galatians 2:15-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I'm okay and you're okay.” Lots of examples of this are used as an excuse for our failings. But is there a gospel version of this phrase? Is there a sense that a better understanding of how God sees us can free us? We'll look at that question today. Galatians 2:11-14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever experienced a relationship becoming stronger after a major rift? There's a blow up, maybe public, maybe private, but certainly divisive. We're done! But, by Gods' grace modeling for us, we come back around, reconcile, and end up with a stronger bond. Our study today explores a Biblical model for just such a repair. Galatians 2:11-14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've probably heard that “you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.” So, if the church is a family, is it any wonder that we can sometimes fall into the trap of seeing others in the body of Christ in less than friendly terms? We'll continue our look at unity in today's study. Galatians 2:6-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices