Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Thursday, March 26, Galatians 1:16

"to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:"

We can only speculate all that went on during this period where Paul sat under the tutorship of our Lord, in a way I tend to think no other was taught, for God had a special mission for this man, different than any other.

We'll be hearing more about this testimony as we progress in the letter, but today my meditation is more on the beginning of this verse: "to reveal his Son in me."

Paul definitely had a special mission, and we stand in awe at how much he accomplished by the grace of God, but we too have the calling to "reveal his Son". Most of the time at our church, the phrase "reflecting Christ" is how we put it, but it is pretty much the same thing.

And this is the real goal of every believer. It is not a selfless losing of ourselves into some infinite nothingness, it is the creature constantly becoming molded more and more into the complete masterpiece God had originally intended for us to be. And the more we reflect His glory, the more we become complete.

The flaws of this world in which we sometimes take comfort are really aberrations from the real thing, and the real thing is our souls reflecting God, the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. And when we turn to Christ, we become a new creation, one over which sin has no power.

Oh, in this life we will struggle, because we have been so twisted by the sin of our fallen nature, and though it is crucified, the effects of it still try to pull us back into that thinking. The answer is to look up! Set your affections on things above, for in Colossians 3 it says that we are indeed dead, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

When we wake each morning with the intent to please God, we awaken to a new adventure! What will God reveal to us today through His Word and Providence? How will He be reflected in our walk this morning? And this afternoon? And this evening?

We don't worry about manufacturing some great work to get in good standing. We can't get in better standing, because we are seated in heavenly places in Christ! No, we simply live, abide in the Light, and He will let us know what His purpose is for us. It is a living, day-by-day relationship.

Sometimes it is just resting, basking in His glory. Other times it may be a trial to teach us and mature us. Other times it may be to teach another, help another, or simply laugh with another and enjoy fellowship. Or maybe He will put us before a lost, weary soul who needs salvation, and we can lead them where to find the Living Water.

Our task is simply to be ready. We train through His Word and through fellowship with other believers, and "God will reveal His Son" in us while we set our hearts toward Him.

This is the will of God. Just believe in His Son, and abide. But you must know the Son first, so if you have never sensed the call of the Holy Spirit in your life, I pray that He will speak to your heart today.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*KJV used*

Memory Helps

"to REVEAL HIS Son in me,
that I might PREACH HIM
among THE HEATHEN;

immediately I conferred not
with flesh and blood:"

(Words per line: 6-5-3, 4-4)

I separated this into two sets, a three-line phrase and a two-line phrase.

I noticed the "EA" words for lines 1-3: "REVEAL HIS/PREACH HIM/THE HEATHEN" work on those and add the few words that are left. Then move to the last set of lines.

To help link them, think of the last "H" word "heathen" and link it to the first two "I" words of line 4: "Immediately I". From there it should be pretty easy to finish.

Linking verse numbers:

I use speedy "DaSH" of the "Incredibles" fame for my memory character for verses 16, because "D=1, SH=6, vowels fillers. So he, with a big bow Tie to remember chapter 1 (T=1), is a magician who speeds in with a magician's blanket and pulls it away, revealing "his son" (a much smaller Dash). Then he preaches to him and a bunch of "heathen" people, maybe pygmies with bones in their hair or whatever you may imagine. You can go on from there.