Perseverance Titus 2:11-14

Scripture:  Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14 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.

Observation:  First, there is the awareness of God’s grace and salvation. Then, with that gift, we learn to recognize that we need to say “No” to our sinful desires.  We are taking action in saying “No” we are obeying.  We are controlling ourselves by living upright and godly lives.  Last, the waiting until Christ comes in verse 13 is also addressed at the end of verse 14, eager to do what is good is done while we wait.

Application:  First, as we become aware, I need to read the bible, study the bible, worship and disciple in my First Place group.  The second action is to do what I learn, eagerly do good and just as important to say “No” to what is sinful.   I need to stay in tune with God so I know what is sinful.  Finally, I need to persevere, as these actions are to take place until Jesus is revealed.

Prayer:  Lord, I fall short every day.  I am not consistent.   I hear, I write, and yet I do not always do.  Lord Almighty, reveal to me always what you want me to do.  Help me so I honor you with all I do. Amen.

How is God speaking to you through this verse?

Transformation

I heard transformation 3 times today.

• We had a wonderful prayer time with the Lord before staff meeting at Crossroads today. Quiet time of prayer out on the grounds that are transforming before our eyes. Mountains are moving at our church. It is a site to behold.

• Worked out with my personal fitness trainer, Marianne Driscoll King. It was a great workout with weights and intervals of my new kettlebell. My body is being transformed. Yeah for friends who help us on our transformation journey.

• Shopped at one of my favorite thrift stores for work out clothes. I had to move to the mediums because the larges were too big. Thank you Jesus for this new me. I was a size 24, XXL girl just 6 years ago. When larges are too big, I get overwhelmed with the transformation that has happened to me. 

This week our focus at worship and in small group is getting rid of the baggage of guilt. I am so blessed by my sins being forgiven. Psalm 32:1-5 

YEAH, HE forgave the guilt of my sin!

The scale is one of my laws Romans 4:14-15

Scripture: Romans 4:14-15 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Observation:  No law means we do not realize we are making mistakes or sinning against God.  We need the law to help us understand the standard.

Application:   How coincidental, I read First Place 4 Health devotion today about the scale being one of our laws.   Without the scale, we do not know we are sinning when it comes to overeating and not exercising our body.  The law, the scale, needs to be something I use for the rest of my life to help me stay the course and stay on track with my wellness.   I wonder what other people need in their life as their law to stay the course.

Prayer:  Lord Almighty, help me to see you in the right light.  I have faith in you.   Yet I must have the law so that I know when I transgress.  

Hebrews 4:9-11 Our Sabbath comes from God

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-11  9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Observation:  We get our Sabbath rest from God.  Rest is for God's people.  We are His people.  When we rest, we are also to rest from work.  Not having rest = disobedience.  Others could perish as a result of our poor example.  Yikes!

Application:  Verse 11 is the action.  I need to make every effort to rest.  Entering into God’s rest is purposeful. 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for calling me to rest.  I realize I am stronger and able to persevere longer when I have intervals of rest.  I am blessed to be with you, resting in you.  Lord, I am not worthy of your love.  You overwhelm me.  

Matthew 7:13-14 The narrow gate and path

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14   13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Observation:  The road is narrow and the gate is small.  Jesus tells us to enter through the narrow gate and it is hard to find.

Application:  I need to look for the narrow gate. It is the harder gate, more difficult.  I need to be purposeful at finding it each day, minute, second. 

Prayer:  Lord help me to always be focused on you.  Forgive me for the many distractions I let in.  I want to be with you on the narrow path.   I want to walk your path of life, no matter how narrow.  Help me Lord to see the path you have for me.  Thank you Lord for loving me so much that you came to this earth, died for me, and rose again.  It is hard for me to comprehend how great it your love for me. 

John 15:2 God tends to every branch on the vine

Scripture:  John 15:2  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will bear more fruit

Observation:  God prunes fruit bearing branches so that they bear more fruit.  It seems being cut off is down to the branch where it might be big (maybe when we are full of ourselves).  Where the vine is productive, it has many more branches.  The vine it is being pruned as it produces more fruit.   There are many more branches as a result.

Application:  What in my life needs to be stopped, cut off, because it is not bearing fruit.  What is producing fruit that needs to be pruned? 

Prayer:  Lord, show me what needs to go and what needs pruning so it grows.  Lord, it seems scary to ask you to show me.  I know you will and I know it could be something I do not want to hear.  Help me to hear you Lord.  I want more of you and less of me.  Show me where there is too much of me and not enough of you.  Lord thank you for caring and tending to me.   I am humbled to be used by you, may your kingdom come today and forever.

Knowledge, Action & Control with Perseverance Titus 2:11-14

Scripture:  Titus 2:11-14

NIV 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14 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.

NLT  11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.  14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Observation:  First, there is the awareness of God’s grace and salvation. Then, with that gift, we learn to recognize that we need to say “No” to our sinful desires.  We are taking action in saying “No” we are obeying.  We are controlling ourselves by living upright and godly lives.  Last, the waiting until Christ comes in verse 13 is also addressed at the end of verse 14, eager to do what is good is done while we wait.

Application:  First, as we become aware, I need to read the bible, study the bible, worship and disciple in my small group.  The second action is to do what I learn, eagerly do good and just as important to say “No” to what is sinful.   I need to stay in tune with God so I know what is sinful.  Finally, I need to persevere, as these actions are to take place until Jesus is revealed.  

Prayer:  Lord, I fall short every day.  I am not consistent.   I hear, I journal, and yet I do not always do.  Lord Almighty, reveal to me always what you want me to do.  Help me so I honor you with all I do, consistently over the long term. Amen.