Chapter 6:
Yep – Paul continues with properness. Why? Because Timothy is young and needs to be reminded – and so do we!
He begins with “masters” – present day = bosses. We are to consider them “…worthy of full respect…” This term translates into diligent and faithful work to one’s employer. In other words, we are to work hard for our bosses, not playing around or being lazy when he’s not around. Doing that would be considered theft since it would mean stealing the labor that he is paying us for.
Next he addresses money. Apparently some were thinking that “…godliness was a means to financial gain.” The key here is contentment – just being satisfied with what you have. Sad, but not really our culture huh?! “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Money isn’t evil, for it has been invested in many great things of God, but the LOVE of it is! And true riches don’t involve money but being “…rich in good deeds…..generous and willing to share…”
Finally, Paul tells Timothy to guard the truth! The Word of God that you & I possess is invaluable and we are to guard it as we would our most precious possession!
SO WHAT?!
*So, how do you treat your boss? Maybe you don’t have one yet, but most of us at one point will and our attitude towards them is important. Colossians 3:23 says that “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” So…..how ya’ doin’?
*How do you handle money? We often think, “how much of my money should I give to the LORD” when the real question should be, “How much of God’s money does He want me to keep and where does He want me to put the rest?”
*Finally, how are you guarding the truth God has given you in His word? Do you read it? Study it? Memorize it? Defend it? Share it?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
1 Timothy 5 DEVO: Properness with Widows & Elders
Chapter 5:
Ok, for the most part, it was my mom (sorry dad) who taught me properness. And I know, some of you are thinking she didn’t get the job done, but hey, that’s MY fault not hers!
Anyway, this chapter wreaks of properness. Timothy was a young man and needed to understand properness with those older whom he was going to have to correct. So Paul says “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.” And because Timmy was young & hormonal, Paul told him to “Treat…….younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” Good call Paul.
Then he addresses, in length, widows – those whose husband had died and were left without any means of support. Here’s the gist:
- If they have family, their family is to support them first.
- If no family to support them, the church should.
- Have to be at least 60 yrs old, faithful to husband & know for good deeds
- Younger widows are encouraged to remarry, have children, manage their homes
Paul then says of the elders (overseers, pastors) in the church:
- Pay them & honor them well for hard work
- Don’t let people bad talk them
- If an elder has sinned publically, he should be publically rebuked
- Don’t be partial or show favoritism
- Don’t be quick to make someone an elder
SO WHAT?!
*Our culture tends to treat older people as useless, old fashioned and out of touch with reality. While many older people may not understand the latest technology or movie, they have a deep vault of wisdom to pass on to the next generation. God certainly does not view them as invaluable and neither should we. So how do you treat your parents? Your grandparents? It says a lot about us. Find out who the widows are in your church and visit them or visit a nursing home if you can. It will humble you as well as give you a great opportunity to learn some wisdom!
*Guys – how do you treat the younger girls? Paul says with purity! Ya’ know how you do that? Think of them as your sister. What kind of a guy is gonna’ make a sensual advance on his sister – yikes!~!
*When was the last time you let your elders and pastor(s) know how much you appreciate their hard work? They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. So give ‘em some encouragement today!
Ok, for the most part, it was my mom (sorry dad) who taught me properness. And I know, some of you are thinking she didn’t get the job done, but hey, that’s MY fault not hers!
Anyway, this chapter wreaks of properness. Timothy was a young man and needed to understand properness with those older whom he was going to have to correct. So Paul says “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.” And because Timmy was young & hormonal, Paul told him to “Treat…….younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” Good call Paul.
Then he addresses, in length, widows – those whose husband had died and were left without any means of support. Here’s the gist:
- If they have family, their family is to support them first.
- If no family to support them, the church should.
- Have to be at least 60 yrs old, faithful to husband & know for good deeds
- Younger widows are encouraged to remarry, have children, manage their homes
Paul then says of the elders (overseers, pastors) in the church:
- Pay them & honor them well for hard work
- Don’t let people bad talk them
- If an elder has sinned publically, he should be publically rebuked
- Don’t be partial or show favoritism
- Don’t be quick to make someone an elder
SO WHAT?!
*Our culture tends to treat older people as useless, old fashioned and out of touch with reality. While many older people may not understand the latest technology or movie, they have a deep vault of wisdom to pass on to the next generation. God certainly does not view them as invaluable and neither should we. So how do you treat your parents? Your grandparents? It says a lot about us. Find out who the widows are in your church and visit them or visit a nursing home if you can. It will humble you as well as give you a great opportunity to learn some wisdom!
*Guys – how do you treat the younger girls? Paul says with purity! Ya’ know how you do that? Think of them as your sister. What kind of a guy is gonna’ make a sensual advance on his sister – yikes!~!
*When was the last time you let your elders and pastor(s) know how much you appreciate their hard work? They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. So give ‘em some encouragement today!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
1 Timothy 4 DEVO: Truth & Influence Matters!
Chapter 4:
In today’s reading, Paul returns to addressing false teaching. “In the later times” (today - we’re in the later times), some people are gonna’ ditch God because they’ll buy into lies from the evil one! A true believer can’t ditch God but “make believers” can and will. The lies specifically mentioned here are that celibacy (staying single & not marrying) and what food you eat can save you. NOT – “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected…”
Paul then lists out how his readers can guard the truth of God:
- Warn against and point out sin (6a)
- Be a servant (6b)
- Know & obey the truth (6c)
- Avoid false teaching (7a)
- Discipline yourself in truth (7b-9)
- Work hard (10)
- Teach others to do the same (11)
- Model/live out the truth (12)
- Devote yourself to truth (13)
- Be sure you are using your gifts for Him (14)
- Be single-mindedly sold out (15)
Paul concludes with a great summary statement on influence: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
SO WHAT?!
*Although true believers can never be separated from the love of God, we can be deceived and our witness hindered. What lies are you tempted to buy into? How do they affect your relationship with Jesus and witness for Him?
*Ever been looked down upon because you’re young? Yeah, me too. It could be the theme song of many a student. Paul says the way to combat it is to “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” What kind of example are you & I setting in these areas?
*Watching my life & doctrine is a daily calling. It means we need to not only read God’s word, but know it, obey it, do it and help others do the same – DAILY! How are we doing? Remember, “…physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
In today’s reading, Paul returns to addressing false teaching. “In the later times” (today - we’re in the later times), some people are gonna’ ditch God because they’ll buy into lies from the evil one! A true believer can’t ditch God but “make believers” can and will. The lies specifically mentioned here are that celibacy (staying single & not marrying) and what food you eat can save you. NOT – “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected…”
Paul then lists out how his readers can guard the truth of God:
- Warn against and point out sin (6a)
- Be a servant (6b)
- Know & obey the truth (6c)
- Avoid false teaching (7a)
- Discipline yourself in truth (7b-9)
- Work hard (10)
- Teach others to do the same (11)
- Model/live out the truth (12)
- Devote yourself to truth (13)
- Be sure you are using your gifts for Him (14)
- Be single-mindedly sold out (15)
Paul concludes with a great summary statement on influence: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
SO WHAT?!
*Although true believers can never be separated from the love of God, we can be deceived and our witness hindered. What lies are you tempted to buy into? How do they affect your relationship with Jesus and witness for Him?
*Ever been looked down upon because you’re young? Yeah, me too. It could be the theme song of many a student. Paul says the way to combat it is to “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” What kind of example are you & I setting in these areas?
*Watching my life & doctrine is a daily calling. It means we need to not only read God’s word, but know it, obey it, do it and help others do the same – DAILY! How are we doing? Remember, “…physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
1 Timithoy 3 DEVO: Character Qualities for Leaders
Chapter 3:
As I read the qualifications Paul lists in this chapter, I think, who can be all these things?! Nobody! So God has to use unqualified peeps like you and me, but these character traits are listed for a reason. What is it? God is serious about His leaders! Though not perfectly, these traits are to characterize those who humbly lead in His kingdom!
“If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” – God’s leaders must first want to serve Him. Specifically here Paul is addressing “elders” – spiritual leaders in the church. They are to be:
- above reproach: blameless, not perfection, but pursuit
- husband of but one wife: a one-woman man,
- temperate: handles their emotions
- self-controlled: can say no to things, disciplined
- respectable: wouldn’t give Jesus a bad name
- hospitable: opens their home up, loves people
- able to teach: the Word of God
- not given to drunkenness: is not a boozer
- not violent but gentle: responds with self-control
- not quarrelsome: can work with others
- not lover of money: sees finances as a stewardship, not his own
- He must manage his own family well: if they can’t, why let them lead God’s family?!
- He must not be a recent convert: not trained enough yet to lead
- He must also have a good reputation with outsiders: it matters what your neighbors think
Then he lists qualifications for deacons (those who serve, more task oriented) and their wives (8-12). The only real difference between qualities for elders and deacons is that elders must be “able to teach.” And by the way, it totally matters what the spouse of a leader is like too!
Paul concludes by sharing that “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” What an encouraging byproduct for those who serve faithfully!
SO WHAT?!
*So why the big deal about our character? Because we are God’s representatives to an unbelieving world that needs to see Jesus in us! And by the way, even though this list is for those who serve as deacons & elders in a church, they are character qualities that God desires of all His kids! Take a moment today and go thru the list above and rate yourself. If you're bold, ask someone else to rate you. Then take your lowest one and ask God to help you work n it over the next 30 days. If you do one of these a mont, within a year you will have nearly covered them all.
*As a student pastor, whenever I put someone in leadership, I am basically saying “Be like them.” That’s a sobering thought for me and my fellow servant leaders. God is obviously not looking for the perfect, but He does seek FAT peeps and so do I! Faithful, Available & Teachable ones whom the Holy Spirit can do great things to and through! Ask God to help you be FAT today!
As I read the qualifications Paul lists in this chapter, I think, who can be all these things?! Nobody! So God has to use unqualified peeps like you and me, but these character traits are listed for a reason. What is it? God is serious about His leaders! Though not perfectly, these traits are to characterize those who humbly lead in His kingdom!
“If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” – God’s leaders must first want to serve Him. Specifically here Paul is addressing “elders” – spiritual leaders in the church. They are to be:
- above reproach: blameless, not perfection, but pursuit
- husband of but one wife: a one-woman man,
- temperate: handles their emotions
- self-controlled: can say no to things, disciplined
- respectable: wouldn’t give Jesus a bad name
- hospitable: opens their home up, loves people
- able to teach: the Word of God
- not given to drunkenness: is not a boozer
- not violent but gentle: responds with self-control
- not quarrelsome: can work with others
- not lover of money: sees finances as a stewardship, not his own
- He must manage his own family well: if they can’t, why let them lead God’s family?!
- He must not be a recent convert: not trained enough yet to lead
- He must also have a good reputation with outsiders: it matters what your neighbors think
Then he lists qualifications for deacons (those who serve, more task oriented) and their wives (8-12). The only real difference between qualities for elders and deacons is that elders must be “able to teach.” And by the way, it totally matters what the spouse of a leader is like too!
Paul concludes by sharing that “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” What an encouraging byproduct for those who serve faithfully!
SO WHAT?!
*So why the big deal about our character? Because we are God’s representatives to an unbelieving world that needs to see Jesus in us! And by the way, even though this list is for those who serve as deacons & elders in a church, they are character qualities that God desires of all His kids! Take a moment today and go thru the list above and rate yourself. If you're bold, ask someone else to rate you. Then take your lowest one and ask God to help you work n it over the next 30 days. If you do one of these a mont, within a year you will have nearly covered them all.
*As a student pastor, whenever I put someone in leadership, I am basically saying “Be like them.” That’s a sobering thought for me and my fellow servant leaders. God is obviously not looking for the perfect, but He does seek FAT peeps and so do I! Faithful, Available & Teachable ones whom the Holy Spirit can do great things to and through! Ask God to help you be FAT today!
Monday, July 5, 2010
1 Timothy 2 DEVO: Evangelistic Prayer & Some Unpopular Verses
Chapter 2:
I considered titling this “Passion & Punches” but settled for a wimpier one – pretty sad huh?! We see in this chapter both Paul’s passion for the lost (ok, GOD”S passion) as well as his passion for proper worship. Both very relevant topics for today as well!
Paul begins by begging that “…requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority…” Now at the time, Nero was in power and this was a radical request from Paul! Because he was killing believers, few wanted to pray for Nero (ok, maybe for his death) and fewer wanted to give thanks for him! But Paul begs we do! Why? He lists two reasons:
- This is good and pleases God our Savior.
- Who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
Paul’s life was a constant “soul patrol” because he was following the example of Jesus who “came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Then he addresses worship. The focus of our worship is to be on God alone and anything that would distract from that is to be removed – regardless of whether you’re male or female! Ok ladies, the focus here is not on the outward – “braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes…” – but on the inward – “dress modestly, with decency and propriety…. with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” – and the attitude of your heart – “in quietness and full submission” and “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Peter 3:3-6).
SO WHAT?!
*How’s your prayer life? What takes up the majority of your prayers? Is it stuff? Selfish requests? Paul’s prayer life shoed a passion for those who don’t know Christ! When was the last time you and I begged God for one of our friends who don’t know Jesus yet? Lord remind us daily to be praying for our unsaved family & friends!
*Ladies – do these verses bother you? They are reminders of God’s role for women. Men & women are all created equal in worth, but unequal in role. Are you fulfilling the role God has for you?
*Men – passages like these are not to be quoted by you to women. God did NOT give guys the role of leader because we are smarter or better. It is simply a role we are to be in. Are you fulfilling the role God has for you?
I considered titling this “Passion & Punches” but settled for a wimpier one – pretty sad huh?! We see in this chapter both Paul’s passion for the lost (ok, GOD”S passion) as well as his passion for proper worship. Both very relevant topics for today as well!
Paul begins by begging that “…requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority…” Now at the time, Nero was in power and this was a radical request from Paul! Because he was killing believers, few wanted to pray for Nero (ok, maybe for his death) and fewer wanted to give thanks for him! But Paul begs we do! Why? He lists two reasons:
- This is good and pleases God our Savior.
- Who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
Paul’s life was a constant “soul patrol” because he was following the example of Jesus who “came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Then he addresses worship. The focus of our worship is to be on God alone and anything that would distract from that is to be removed – regardless of whether you’re male or female! Ok ladies, the focus here is not on the outward – “braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes…” – but on the inward – “dress modestly, with decency and propriety…. with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” – and the attitude of your heart – “in quietness and full submission” and “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Peter 3:3-6).
SO WHAT?!
*How’s your prayer life? What takes up the majority of your prayers? Is it stuff? Selfish requests? Paul’s prayer life shoed a passion for those who don’t know Christ! When was the last time you and I begged God for one of our friends who don’t know Jesus yet? Lord remind us daily to be praying for our unsaved family & friends!
*Ladies – do these verses bother you? They are reminders of God’s role for women. Men & women are all created equal in worth, but unequal in role. Are you fulfilling the role God has for you?
*Men – passages like these are not to be quoted by you to women. God did NOT give guys the role of leader because we are smarter or better. It is simply a role we are to be in. Are you fulfilling the role God has for you?
Friday, July 2, 2010
1 Timothy 1 DEVO: Beware, Be Thankful, Be Firm…
Introduction:
As with Titus, the letters of 1&2 Timothy are written to a young pastor. Timothy was a convert of Paul’s ministry (1:2) who traveled and ministered alongside Paul and was dear to his heart. Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by warning him against false teachers, possibly Judaizers (1:3-11). He thanks “Christ Jesus our Lord” for his amazing grace to “the worst of sinners.” (1:12-20). Chapter 2 is on instructions for church worship and Chapter 3 covers the qualifications of elders and deacons in the church. 4:1-5, deals again with guarding against false teachers, and 4:6-16 admonishes Timothy to maintain sound doctrine and sound discipline. Chapter 5 deals with widows in the church (3-16) and the treatment of elders (17-20). Chapter 6 instructs slaves (1-2), gives more warnings against false teachers (3-5) and the love of money (6-10), a personal charge to Timothy (11-16) and special instructions for the rich.
Chapter 1:
Teaching things about God that are not true is a big deal. It was in Paul’s time and it is today! Why? Because what we believe affects what we do and how we live. Because most of the Bible lessons that are taught (or I’ve heard) are taught by “non-pastors”, it’s important that Bible teachers “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul begins by addressing a false teaching problem. He tells Timothy to “command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” Superstitions, myths & legalism are meaningless and add to the good news of Jesus, which is about Grace – AMAZING GRACE! And whenever we stray from striving for a pure heart, a clear conscious and a sincere faith, we come up with our own ideas of God – totally not good.
Next, in humility, Paul gives thanks to God that He even allows him to do what he does! Verses 12-17 are so true of me and describe the gracious testimony of so many God has saved!!! Go GOD!
Finally, Paul knows Timothy needs perseverance in this spiritual battle, so he reminds him of his potential “the prophecies once made about you…” and tells him to hold on to “faith and a good conscience.” - Be firm!
SO WHAT?!
*I was in a small discipleship group with our college president Joe Wall. One of the things we would do each week was report back and discuss as to what was taught at each of our churches. One week, a fellow student told Dr. Wall that the message was on the feeding of the five thousand and how they picked up 12 basketfuls afterwards. Then, get this, he says that the teacher told everyone that the meaning of this story is that we should not litter – HA! Now don’t get me wrong, I believe we are to take care of this planet that God put us on, but that is NOT why Jesus told this story! Now, have I ever misinterpreted & taught a passage of scripture? Yep. I look at some of my early Bible studies and wonder – what was I thinking?!~! Dr Wall would take the word of God and show me where I was wrong & I’d learn. I was corrected. Are you teaching anything false about God that might lead others astray?
*When you read 12-17, do you think of “other” sinners or do you see yourself? Truth be known, all of us at one time were against God (Ephesians 2). Take a moment today and thank God!
*In what area of your life do you need strength to stand strong? Ask God today for that strength (Ps 46:1).
As with Titus, the letters of 1&2 Timothy are written to a young pastor. Timothy was a convert of Paul’s ministry (1:2) who traveled and ministered alongside Paul and was dear to his heart. Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by warning him against false teachers, possibly Judaizers (1:3-11). He thanks “Christ Jesus our Lord” for his amazing grace to “the worst of sinners.” (1:12-20). Chapter 2 is on instructions for church worship and Chapter 3 covers the qualifications of elders and deacons in the church. 4:1-5, deals again with guarding against false teachers, and 4:6-16 admonishes Timothy to maintain sound doctrine and sound discipline. Chapter 5 deals with widows in the church (3-16) and the treatment of elders (17-20). Chapter 6 instructs slaves (1-2), gives more warnings against false teachers (3-5) and the love of money (6-10), a personal charge to Timothy (11-16) and special instructions for the rich.
Chapter 1:
Teaching things about God that are not true is a big deal. It was in Paul’s time and it is today! Why? Because what we believe affects what we do and how we live. Because most of the Bible lessons that are taught (or I’ve heard) are taught by “non-pastors”, it’s important that Bible teachers “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul begins by addressing a false teaching problem. He tells Timothy to “command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” Superstitions, myths & legalism are meaningless and add to the good news of Jesus, which is about Grace – AMAZING GRACE! And whenever we stray from striving for a pure heart, a clear conscious and a sincere faith, we come up with our own ideas of God – totally not good.
Next, in humility, Paul gives thanks to God that He even allows him to do what he does! Verses 12-17 are so true of me and describe the gracious testimony of so many God has saved!!! Go GOD!
Finally, Paul knows Timothy needs perseverance in this spiritual battle, so he reminds him of his potential “the prophecies once made about you…” and tells him to hold on to “faith and a good conscience.” - Be firm!
SO WHAT?!
*I was in a small discipleship group with our college president Joe Wall. One of the things we would do each week was report back and discuss as to what was taught at each of our churches. One week, a fellow student told Dr. Wall that the message was on the feeding of the five thousand and how they picked up 12 basketfuls afterwards. Then, get this, he says that the teacher told everyone that the meaning of this story is that we should not litter – HA! Now don’t get me wrong, I believe we are to take care of this planet that God put us on, but that is NOT why Jesus told this story! Now, have I ever misinterpreted & taught a passage of scripture? Yep. I look at some of my early Bible studies and wonder – what was I thinking?!~! Dr Wall would take the word of God and show me where I was wrong & I’d learn. I was corrected. Are you teaching anything false about God that might lead others astray?
*When you read 12-17, do you think of “other” sinners or do you see yourself? Truth be known, all of us at one time were against God (Ephesians 2). Take a moment today and thank God!
*In what area of your life do you need strength to stand strong? Ask God today for that strength (Ps 46:1).
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Titus 3 DEVO: Remember Who You ARE!
Chapter 3:
Ok, I’ll admit it, I love the movie “Lion King” - for many reasons! There is one scene in the movie that especially sends me a reminder. It’s the scene where Rafiki (the crazy baboon) tells Simba that he knows who he is, “You’re Mufasa’s boy!” – and then he runs off. Simba chases him down and they meet by a pond. Rafiki tells him to look in the pond and tell him what he sees. Simba looks and sees a reflection of himself and doesn’t like what he sees. Then Rafiki saysm, “Loooook again…” This time when Simba looks he sees the reflection of his father and realizes he truly is the King’s Kid! As believers in Jesus, we are the King’s Kids and we need to never forget that! Paul does something similar as he writes to Titus here in chapter 3.
Paul first reminds him of who he USED to be: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” Before Jesus, this is true of all of us! BUT…..what a great next word…. “BUT when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” In the midst of my sinful, dead, helpless to do anything condition, GOD did something! By HIS mercy he saved me! Whoohoo!!!!!!! The GOSPEL!!!!!!! I am sooooo grateful! So how should I live as a result? “…be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” And hey - stay away from divisive people!
SO WHAT?
*I don’t know what you are dealing with today – maybe something has gotten you down. But whatever it is, wherever you are, do this: Remember Who You Are! If you have put your trust in Jesus as Savior, then you are the King’s Kid – you’re Royalty! So don’t let the enemy get you down!
*Take a couple minutes today and meditate on verses 4-7. Thank God for His amazing mercy and His amazing sacrifice of Jesus for us!
*What “good” are you involved in for the Lord??? If you’re not currently & regularly serving the Lord, check with your pastor to see how you can. I bet he’d love to have you come ask!!!
Ok, I’ll admit it, I love the movie “Lion King” - for many reasons! There is one scene in the movie that especially sends me a reminder. It’s the scene where Rafiki (the crazy baboon) tells Simba that he knows who he is, “You’re Mufasa’s boy!” – and then he runs off. Simba chases him down and they meet by a pond. Rafiki tells him to look in the pond and tell him what he sees. Simba looks and sees a reflection of himself and doesn’t like what he sees. Then Rafiki saysm, “Loooook again…” This time when Simba looks he sees the reflection of his father and realizes he truly is the King’s Kid! As believers in Jesus, we are the King’s Kids and we need to never forget that! Paul does something similar as he writes to Titus here in chapter 3.
Paul first reminds him of who he USED to be: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” Before Jesus, this is true of all of us! BUT…..what a great next word…. “BUT when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” In the midst of my sinful, dead, helpless to do anything condition, GOD did something! By HIS mercy he saved me! Whoohoo!!!!!!! The GOSPEL!!!!!!! I am sooooo grateful! So how should I live as a result? “…be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” And hey - stay away from divisive people!
SO WHAT?
*I don’t know what you are dealing with today – maybe something has gotten you down. But whatever it is, wherever you are, do this: Remember Who You Are! If you have put your trust in Jesus as Savior, then you are the King’s Kid – you’re Royalty! So don’t let the enemy get you down!
*Take a couple minutes today and meditate on verses 4-7. Thank God for His amazing mercy and His amazing sacrifice of Jesus for us!
*What “good” are you involved in for the Lord??? If you’re not currently & regularly serving the Lord, check with your pastor to see how you can. I bet he’d love to have you come ask!!!
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