Thursday Thought -- March 1, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)

Fasting is such a foreign concept in our American “indulge yourself” culture.  Not only do we not fast, but we usually go to the opposite extreme, eating far more than we need to eat or should eat.  But fasting is not about what’s good for the body.  It is not God’s great diet plan to keep us looking good and feeling good.

Fasting is about self-control.  It is a demonstration to us, and to the Lord, that some things are more important than food, more important than what makes us feel good.

Fasting is a concrete way to appeal to God for help.  I don’t know how or why, but God attaches power to fasting.

Hundreds of thousands of Christians fast each year for the specific purpose of appealing to God to send revival and spiritual renewal to our country.  Some people fast for up to 40 days, which is almost unbelievable to me.  Others fast for much shorter periods of time, perhaps as little as one meal.  But all, by exercising self-control over food, appeal to God to intervene in America.

Jesus said “when” you fast.  Not “if,” but “when.”  It was His expectation that His followers would fast.

It is a foreign concept to most of us, but a biblical one.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 29, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  This, then, is how you should pray:  ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:6-15)

Not IF you pray, but WHEN.

Pray with a right attitude, not as hypocrites, but with sincerity.

Pray expectantly, He will reward you, He will hear and answer your prayers.

Don't think you have to pray in formulas, with babbling -- just talk to God about what’s on your heart.

Remember who you are talking to.  He’s not a mean, spiteful God.  He is your loving Father.

When you pray, remember what’s really important in this world.  It’s His Kingdom.

Don’t be afraid to ask Him for what you need.

Pray with a right heart, one that is right with God and right with other people.

Someone said, “When we pray, we touch the heart of eternity.”  By praying you can do more to change the world and advance God’s Kingdom than by anything else.  So, friends, PRAY.  Jesus Himself taught us how.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

To God, the motive is just as important as the action.  It is important to ask ourselves why we do the things we do for Him.  To bring glory and honor to God -- to obey Him -- because of the needs of others -- those are all good motives.  To receive acclaim -- to earn His favor -- to make us feel good -- those are all motives that are less than right.

God spoke through Isaiah to say, “I am the LORD; that is my name!  I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)  The glory for everything we do belongs not to us, but to our heavenly Father.  It is His work in us that accomplishes what we do.

Giving to those in need is a God-honoring thing to do.  Be sure you’re doing it for Him and for them, though, and not for yourself.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 27, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:17-20)

It is a hard teaching that Jesus gave in the passage above and He continued it by giving some specific examples of the extent of the Law’s restrictions.  It’s not just actual murder that makes us guilty under the Law, but even getting angry at someone else. (Matthew 5:21-26)  It is not just committing adultery that breaks the Law, but even looking at a woman lustfully. (Matthew 5:27-30)

So, if we are bound by the Law and guilty when we break it, what hope is there?  All of us have been angry at someone in our lives.  All of us men, at least, have looked lustfully on a woman.  And there are many other attitudes of the heart for which we all stand guilty, even if we’ve never followed through with those attitudes to sinful action.  We’re guilty, and therefore, condemned under the Law.  That was true for Old Testament people and true for those of who live after New Testament times.

Thank God, there is One hope:  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  Through Christ, God forgives sinners and welcomes us into His family.

Thank God!  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 24, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

People influence each other.  If we think back through our own lives we will remember many people who have touched us and had an impact on us that has lasted all the years since then.  A speech teacher when I was a junior in high school, a friend during my first two years of college, a preacher at my home church, a small group of pastor-friends, and many others have made a difference in my life.

Jesus challenges us in this section of the Sermon on the Mount to deliberately and intentionally strive to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Be salt to the people who are around you.  Salt adds flavor to the food we use it on and is also used as a preservative to prolong the life of some foods.  So, too, we have the opportunity to bring flavor into people’s lives, to make them better and their lives more meaningful through Christ.  And by sharing Christ we have the opportunity to be involved in their eternal preservation!

 
Light exposes evil, protects us, and helps us see the next steps to take.  So, too, we have the opportunity to be used by God in those ways in the lives of the people around us.  Our lives have been lit by Him and He has asked for our help in bringing the light to others.

Remember and thank God for those who have made a difference in your own life.  And think about how you can make a difference in the lives of others around you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- February 23, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:  ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 5:1-10)

Someone has described the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) as the teaching of Jesus capsulated in one sermon.  And the Beatitudes have been described as the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount summarized in a few verses.  The attitudes that Jesus describes and encourages in the Beatitudes are perfectly modeled in Jesus and they are the attitudes He longs to build into our lives.

Humility, a proper attitude toward sin, self-control, a longing for God, mercy, purity, a commitment to helping others, and a commitment to God, these are the attitudes God would build into our lives, if we’ll allow Him to.

And the overriding teaching of the Beatitudes is that when we allow God to build these attitudes into our lives we discover that the blessing comes to us.  The bottom-line is that following God is the best thing for us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 22, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’  Jesus answered, ‘It is written:  “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’  Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down.  For it is written:  “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”’  Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written:  “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan!  For it is written:  “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”’ (Matthew 4:1-10)

The temptations Jesus faced were three powerful ones.  They were powerful because Satan called into question Jesus’ identity and power.  It was a temptation for Jesus to prove that He was the Son of God.  They were also powerful temptations because they struck at points of need in Jesus’ life.  He was hungry – to the point of starvation and turning the stones into bread would have been an easy way to satisfy His hunger, justifiable because He was at the point of danger.  Throwing Himself off the temple was a temptation because Jesus wanted the multitudes to follow Him and if He had performed that feat the crowds would have seen and been in awe.  And the third temptation was powerful because Jesus did want the world and the path Satan offered was the easier path to that goal -- much easier than the cross.

And Jesus said “no” to each of those temptations.  And the way Jesus was able to say “no” was through His knowledge of the Bible and ability to call it to His mind in the face of temptation.  David wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

Jesus had no special power that enabled Him to turn aside from temptation.  He faced temptation with the same tools that are available to us.  He did that to conquer sin for us -- and to show us how to overcome temptation in our own lives.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 21, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’  Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’  Then John consented.  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:13-17)

John tried to deter Jesus from His baptism.  I’m convinced that his intentions were good.  It was an act of humility, recognition, and worship.  John wanted Jesus to baptize him, not the other way around.  Jesus did not rebuke John, He just explained it further so that John could understand and then John was willing to do what Jesus asked of him.

But, I wonder, do we ever act like John did that day?  Do we ever hear what Jesus asks us to do, and argue with Him about it?  Do we ever give Him excuses why we should not do what He has asked?  I know He’s patient with us, and often doesn’t rebuke us, He just explains further so that we understand.  But that shouldn’t be necessary.  Who are we to question God?

I know that what Jesus asked John to do didn’t seem reasonable.  Sometimes what God asks of us doesn’t seem reasonable, either.  But who is Master and who is servant?

Lord, what do you want me to do?  What You ask doesn’t need to be reasonable, it just needs to be from You!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 20, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:  ‘You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.”  I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’” (Matthew 3:7-10)

Jesus is the great dividing place of life.  What a person does with Jesus and His message will profoundly impact his life here in this world, as well as for all eternity.

John the Baptist was a strange man.  He dressed funny.  He had a funny diet.  He lived in a funny place -- the wilderness.  But his message was clear and straight-forward.  He was calling people to a changed life.

Many people responded positively to John’s message and spiritual renewal came to Israel.  People heard John’s message, came to him for baptism, and their lives were not the same afterward.  But there were also curious people who came to John.  These weren’t really interested in hearing John’s message, they just wondered what he was about and wanted to see for themselves his impact upon other people.  They heard the message, but they did not respond to it.  They left with no change in their lives.

The message of Jesus is not to be a curiosity point.  It’s not a message meant only for intellectual stimulation.  It is to be life-changing!  And it will be if we respond to it in faith.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 17, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

The second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel records three of the dozens of Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled during His lifetime. 

“Herod asked the priests and teachers of the law where the Christ was to be born.  ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written.’”  (Matthew 2:4-5)

“Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:  ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.’” (Matthew 2:17-18)

“He went and lived in a town called Nazareth.  So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets:  ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” (Matthew 2:23)

God carefully planned and divinely prearranged the coming of Jesus into the world.  It wasn’t “plan B,” it was what He planned from the beginning of time.  God knew before the world was created that man would need salvation.  It wasn’t a plan hastily thrown together, but carefully prearranged and announced in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) and through the prophets hundreds of years before His birth.  And then, “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.”  (Galatians 4:4)  When all was just right, the plan unfolded and Jesus came.

God loves us enough that He carefully planned how He would save us.  Then, at great cost to Him, He fully carried out His plan in Jesus.  That’s the miracle of Christmas!  It’s worth celebrating all year round!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- February 16, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:1-3)

You see two opposite reactions to the news of the new King in this text.  The Magi came seeking the King when they saw His sign.  Later, when they see the star again leading them to Bethlehem they are overjoyed.  Seeking the King and overjoyed when they find Him, that’s one reaction to the news of Jesus.

Herod’s response was the opposite.  When Herod heard the news of the King, he was disturbed.  He was angry and frightened.  He was angry because he didn't want anyone, not even God, threatening his kingship.  He was frightened because this was one threat that would be difficult to deal with, after all, it included a supernatural sign, a star in the sky.

People still respond in opposite ways to the news of the King.  When some hear, they seek Him and are overjoyed to find Him.  Others respond like Herod did, with anger and fear.  Some want a King.  Some are afraid of what a King would mean for their lives.

How do you respond to the King?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 15, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

Matthew records the most profound statement in the entire Bible.  It is in the account of the events that led up to the birth of Jesus.  He said, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ -- which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:22-23)

He was quoting from the prophet Isaiah:  “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

John declared the same truth as he began his gospel:   “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1;1,14)

And one more time, this from the pen of Paul:  “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7)

The most profound truth in the history of the world is that God came into the world when Jesus was born!  The Creator lived with His creation.  The Holy One walked with sinners.  The Eternal One clothed Himself in flesh.  God lived -- and died -- here on earth.  Because He loves us.  Because it was the only way to provide for our greatest need.  God came to earth!!!

WOW!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 14, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:18-21)

From the very beginning of His life Jesus’ purpose was to save us from our sins.  More accurately, His purpose was planned in eternity before He was ever born!  His name, Jesus, reflects the purpose of His life.  Jesus comes from the Hebrew word “Joshua” and means “Jehovah is salvation” or “Jehovah is Savior.”  That is the purpose for which He came, to bring salvation to us.

Paul declared that God had been planning this since before time and waited patiently until the time was just right.  “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)  Peter made the same point, “He was chosen before the creation of the world.” (1 Peter 1:20)

Sometimes when people consider the story of the birth of Jesus, it is as though it is just a beautiful story of the humble birth of a great man … like Lincoln being born in a log cabin.  But from God’s perspective, that’s not at all what it is.  Even from the time He was born, God knew what Jesus was here to do.  The cross cast its shadow across Jesus’ entire life.  The cross cast its shadow across the manger!  God sent Jesus knowing full well what the world would do to Him.  He knew the mocking Jesus would get.  The hatred that would be spewed out on Him.  The fact that many would not listen to Him.  The betrayal He would face.  The pain, the torture, and the death that awaited Him.

Knowing what He was coming to, God still sent Jesus.  He did it for you and me.  That’s how much He loved, and loves, us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 13, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

Paul brought his letter to Titus to a close with a final greeting and encouragement, “Everyone with me sends you greetings.  Greet those who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all.” (Titus 3:15)

The letter to Titus was a letter from an experienced, mature Christian leader (Paul) to a younger, less experienced Christian leader (Titus).  Paul was serving as a mentor to Titus, helping him with the issues of faith and ministry with which he was confronted.  Paul’s expectation of Titus was that as he was being mentored by Paul, he would also seek those that he could mentor.  He was to appoint leaders in the church of Crete and take responsibility for helping those leaders fulfill the ministry to which God had called them and help them in their own Christian lives, too.  Those leaders, as they were being mentored by Titus, were to take responsibility for the congregation they led, mentoring those people to be sure they were growing and maturing in the faith.

What is described in the relationships between Paul, Titus, the Cretian leaders, and the Cretian Christians is a continuum of mentoring, with each responsible for being in a relationship in which they were being mentored and to be in one or more relationships in which they were mentoring others.

That’s always been God’s design for the church.  The church is to be made up of people helping people grow and mature in their relationship with the Lord.  We aren’t to be in this alone, but relying on others to help us and being available to God to help others.

In thinking about Paul’s relationship with Titus, it brings up the question of our own relationships with others in the faith.  First, are there one or more mature and experienced Christians to whom you look for mentoring?  They serve as models and teachers to you in the things of the faith and in your service in the Kingdom of God.  And just as important, are there younger, less experienced Christians to whom you serve as a mentor – perhaps in a formal way or, more likely, in an informal way?

To be mentored and to be mentoring – that’s God’s way to keeping us all growing!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with him.  You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11)

Unity among His people is a deep desire of God’s heart.  Divisiveness breaks His heart and brings His displeasure.

Unity attracts God’s blessings.  The Psalmist wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3)

Unity was the prayer of Jesus on the night of His betrayal.  Unity means so much to the Lord that it was on His mind in the midst of the most difficult night of His life.  Jesus prayed for unity because He knew that the unity of His people was an essential element in reaching and changing the world with His message of grace and love.  He prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

So many of the New Testament letters to churches and individuals speak directly to the issues of unity and divisiveness.  It becomes obvious that unity means a great deal to God and that divisiveness is a real disappointment to Him and a direct disobedience to Him.

And that’s not just true in the church.  That’s also true in our individual lives.  God desires that we get along with the people around us.

Paul’s advice is clear, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

So, are you getting along with the people around you?  God desires it.  God commands it, as much as it depends upon you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- February 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” (Titus 3:8-9)

There are things worth giving your time to and there are things that are not worth it.  It’s a matter of priorities.

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?  Can God create a boulder so big that even He could not lift it?  Those are just two of the multitude of meaningless arguments that some people in ages past have wanted to debate.  They aren’t worth spending time talking about!  There are more important things to which to devote yourself.

Too often, arguments and controversies take the place of action.  People spend their time debating theology instead of putting what they believe into practice.  Paul challenged Titus and those with whom he worked to “devote themselves to doing what is good.”  It was a challenge to action, not debate.

Paul wrote similar advice to the Philippians:  “If on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.  Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16)

Don’t give so much time and effort to trying to resolve disagreements that you fail to live what you already believe!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 8, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“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.” (Titus 3:5-7)

In these verses, Paul includes several of the most impressive and important words in all language.

Saved:  that’s what God has done for us.  And He did it, not us nor anyone else.  We were doomed and He rescued us.  We were headed for the pit of hell and He turned our destination around.  We were lost, in every sense of that word, and He found us.

Mercy:  someone defined that as “not getting what we deserve.”  We deserve hell, in Christ, we won’t get it.  We deserve to be punished for our sins, but Someone else got what we deserve and let us go free from our rightful consequences.

Justified:  that is to be given right standing before God.  Someone simplified the definition for it to say it means, “just as if we’d never sinned.”  That is the way God sees us through Christ.  Our sin goes onto His account and His righteousness is transferred to ours.

Grace:  there’s almost no bigger word than this one.  It means to “get what we don’t deserve.”  Because of mercy, we don’t get hell.  Because of grace, we get heaven instead.  Grace is derived from the word for “gift.”  And that’s what God has done for us, given us a gift, the most generous gift imaginable.  In fact, it’s so generous it’s unimaginable!

There are more words in those few verses, too.  Words like:  heirs, hope, eternal life, generously, and more.  And let me mention one more:

Jesus.  Now, that’s the most impressive and important word you’ll ever know, because everything God has done for us is because of Him.  All of the other impressive and important words are firmly and forever attached to Him.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 7, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  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.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.” (Titus 3:1-5)

 I need to be reminded often that I’m not supposed to live the same way I used to live!

 I used to live with an intent to get everything I thought I deserved, getting my fair share of whatever was being passed out.  I’m not to live that way anymore.  God has already given me far more than I could ever deserve.

I used to be rebellious against all authority.  Oh, sometimes, maybe even most of the time, it didn’t show.  On the outside I did what I was supposed to do, but on the inside I was rebellious.  I didn’t want anyone else to be in charge of me.  I wanted to be in charge of me.  I’m not to live that way anymore.  I have found Someone I can totally trust and I have given my life to Him.  He’s in charge now.  And whoever He wants to put over me, in whatever way, He can do that.

I used to try to make myself look better by making others look worse.  I’d spout bad things about them.  I’d put them down.  Slander and malice came frequently from my lips.  I don’t have to be that way anymore.  Someone loves me so much that He sacrificed more than is imaginable for me.  How others look can’t ever change how much He loves me.

In so many other ways, I am not the same as I used to be.  And there’s only one reason:  He saved me.  In kindness, He paid the price for me.  In love, He saved me.  I’ll never be the same again.

Of course, I often need to be reminded of that truth.  I forget, and go back to some of the patterns of the past.

I need frequent reminders, don’t you?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 6, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Christians are waiting for something.  Actually, we’re waiting for Someone!  Jesus is coming again.  His coming will be the fulfillment of our hopes.

In the meantime, we face temptations to sin.  The grace we have received is working in our lives to give us the power to say ‘no’ to the temptations we face.  But, still it is a struggle.  Grace hasn’t had its full impact on our lives, none of us will let it.  Though we have the power to change, we still struggle with our own ungodliness and give in to our passions.

In the meantime, we live in a world that is against us.  It is not that the world attacks and persecutes us for our faith.  Rather, it is that the world is wicked and its influence goes against the direction God desires to take our lives.  The world has tremendous pull on our lives.  It’s a constant battle within us between the world on one side and God on the other.

It won’t always be this way.  Temptation will be gone when we are ushered into God’s eternal kingdom.  It won’t be a struggle anymore.  We’ll be released from the ungodliness in our own hearts and freed from the passions that are so strong toward evil.  And the world will be gone, too, or at least radically changed.  Its pull will no longer be toward wickedness and its influence will no longer be away from God.  The battle will be over.

That’s the hope.  That’s what we’re waiting for.  And it’s coming, He’s coming!  It will, indeed, be a great and glorious appearing!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 3, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.  Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:7-10)

I can’t imagine a more distasteful and unbearable life-situation than to be a slave.  That anyone would even consider that they could “own” another person, is beyond my comprehension.  I know it’s not so long since such thoughts were common in parts of the United States.  In fact, my own ancestors “owned” slaves.  I’m so glad that we’ve moved beyond that insanity.

Paul was very familiar with slavery.  The Roman Empire in which he lived and of which he was a citizen was filled with slaves.  In some cities there were more slaves than there were non-slaves.  And slaves were as poorly treated by some masters then as they were by some masters in the pre-Civil War south.

It is startling, then, to find New Testament statements like the one Paul made above to Titus:  “slaves be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, etc.”  It seems logical that if anyone had a right to be rebellious and to stand up for what is right, slaves did.  But for Paul, there were more important things than individual rights.  The more important thing was the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And a slave could do much more to advance the Gospel of Jesus by being cooperative than by being rebellious.

I’m not a slave.  Yet, even in my life of comfort, I struggle to let go of my individual rights for any reason, even for the greater good of the advance of the Gospel.  I struggle to let go of my “rights” in marriage – my “rights” at work – my “rights” as an American citizen – my “rights” as a homeowner – and on and on the areas go in which God calls me to let go of my “rights.”  I still have a lot of growing to do in order to more fully understand God’s priorities and values!  How about you?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- February 2, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.  Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.” (Titus 2:1-6)

Paul had advice and challenge for every group of people.  Each group:  older men, older women, younger women, and younger men have different needs and different temptations that are unique to their stage in life.  But one challenge is universal to all of the groups Paul mentions:  self-control.  That challenge is spoken clearly to the older men, younger women, and younger men, and implied with the older women in the comment about addiction to wine.

Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).  It is one of the characteristics that God, by His Holy Spirit, desires to develop in the life of every believer.  Yet, it is one of the characteristics that none of us will have completely conquered, no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in.  Whether young or older, whether male or female, self-control is a challenge we always need to hear.

Self-control manifests itself differently in men and women.  We face different challenges to self-control at different stages of our lives, too.  But it is always a characteristic that we must be developing and never a characteristic that we can think we have fully developed.

There is an area of your life in which God is challenging you to develop greater self-control.  It’s not the same area in which He is giving that challenge to those around you, but in your life you know in what area God is making that challenge.

His, by Grace,

Steve