Titus 2

Have you ever thought about "Grace Instructing Us?"  It teaches us to say "no" to godlessness and worldly lust and to live sensibly, godly and right with God.

Most people think about Grace as a passive gift from God.  It is the eraser that God uses to forgive sins.  It is the help that God gives to get us through tough times.  It is the gift of salvation itself, if we will only accept it.  In a sense, all these things are true... but it is not just that.

Grace is God's power to live a godly life!  It is an instructor that encourages us to say "yes" to God and "no" to the things that are not godly.  In a sense, it is the gift of the Holy Spirit working from within.  It is desire, power and ability to make the right choice.

Are you living in Grace today?  It is the best way to live.

Grace to you.

Read it here.

Titus 1

Our lives would be way better if we chose to identify ourselves as "slaves" of God.  It was Paul's favorite way to identify himself.

Why would we object to such an idea?  Since God knows us better, cares for us more and always has our best in mind, it only makes sense to totally yield to Him.

Read it here.

2Tm4

What will you be able to say when your life is drawing to a close?  Will you have "fought the good fight, finished well, and kept the faith"?  Will you be looking forward to a "crown of righteousness"?  I pray we all will.

Paul was faithful until the very end.  Interestingly his first thought about the faith was that keeping it was a "battle".  LIterally it is a war.  It is the war of your life.  It is for your life.  Your very soul.  Will you fight for that!

He aslo described faith as a race.  It certainly was not a sprint!  More like a daily marathon of sorts.  Paul's goal was to finish well.  To be leaning in as he crossed the tape into eternity so to speak.  That was his goal.

Most men look back on their life and have regrets!  "I wish I would haves and I should haves".  Paul looked back and felt good about how he fought, ran and finished!  

It is a great goal for all of us!

Read it here.

2Tm3

If we literally avoided all the people in verses 1-5, could we hang out with anyone?  Further, Paul guarantees Timothy that everyone who desires to be godly will be persecuted!  Are you up for the challenge?

This chapter is filled with challenges.  What is that challenge?  To live a godly life devoted to the teaching of the scriptures.  This is a challenge we all need.

Some have had good examples like Timothy, who had a godly mom and grandmother.  Others have had no positive role models.  Either way, Paul is encouraging everyone to follow his example and the teaching of the word of God.

It is God's word that teaches us the path of godliness.  Love it.  Read it. Live it.  Pass it on to the next generation.

Read it here.

2Tm2

Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. - Paul

This is a very active verse.  It calls for "fleeing" and "pursuing"!  It also tells us to do both of these things in the context of others who would share our same pursuits and retreats.  What are you fleeing?  What are you pursuing?  Who are you fleeing and pursuing with?

Paul recognizes that we function best in the context of others.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by men and women in a church who are running hard after Jesus.  It is easy to get caught up in pursuing the very things that I should be running from.

I am so thankful for others in my life to help me stay on the right path.

Read it here.

2Tm1

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind!  Don't live in fear today, rather tap into the power, love and confidence that comes from knowing and living for Jesus.

Fear is crippling!  Especially the fear of man.  Proverbs says that we are to "fear God" only!  Jesus says, do not fear those who can only "kill you", fear God who will  judge you after you're dead.  When we don't fear God, we get ourselves into all kinds of trouble. Don't live to please men, but live to please God.

Power, love and confidence should describe our lives.  When we are living right, we will experience the power to say "no" to sin.  When love is our motivation, we will be a blessing to everyone we encounter.  When we are making sound choices, we will experience the joy of a life lived without guilt!  Paul says this is the life we should live.

Live one life today!  The life God wants for you.

Read it here.

1Tm6

Do you desire to be rich? Are you pursuing hard after money? If so, prepare yourself to be sorely disappointed!

The Bible talks much about money and this chapter says, "loving it is a root of all kinds of evil."  For centuries people who have value money above God are those who end up lonely and empty in this life.  

Our culture is one of the richest ever to live.  We also are the most discontented and unhappy!  We have more than 99% of the world and yet we want more!  In fact we, the 99% in our culture, want to be among the 1% of the richest of the rich!!!

God have mercy on our culture!  What God values is not money, but godliness. Especially godliness with contentment.  What are we to do with our money? Be generous and bless others.  Let your money serve God.  Don't be a slave to money.

Read it here.