Tag: Blessed hope
Grace instructs God’s people!
Scripture reading for October 9: Titus 2
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:11-15
Paul declared to Titus how God’s grace had appeared and made salvation available to all men and women. The culture of Crete where Titus was ministering was lazy and self-indulgent. God’s grace through Jesus Christ was at work saving lost people and transforming them into godly saints. Paul had explained how God’s grace should work in the older men and women. They were now learning through godly instruction how to live lives of self-control and integrity. The women were learning to be active in keeping a loving home and caring for children and supporting their husbands. The younger men and women were being trained by the example of the older and by sound training in sound doctrine.
Loving God and receiving forgiveness of sins has practical daily fruit that expresses itself by transformed lives. The vision of a loving Savior coming again to receive us offers more incentive to be living by His Word and daily receiving grace to avoid lawlessness and to be zealous for good works. God is at work and the Holy Spirit purifies our hearts and empowers us to be ready when Christ Jesus returns in glory for us. Christ’s return is our ‘blessed hope’ in that all God’s promises will come to fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
As you look at your life, what sort of things motivate you to make changes in living patterns to become more holy and godly? What expectation do you have of Jesus’ return in glory? Will He find you living a self-controlled and upright life and zealous for good works?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace appearing in the Person of Jesus Christ and revealed through the Gospel. Your grace has brought me redemption from my sins and is now at work in me through Your Holy Spirit teaching me how to live. Lead me today in good works and Gospel opportunities. Amen.
Our Blessed Hope
Scripture reading for December 7: Titus 1-3
What the world needs is hope! Hope keeps us moving forward and expecting something good to happen in the near future. Hope works with faith and love and keeps us in balance spiritually. Without hope, we often despair and give up or give in to the temptations of this life. People who have no hope become depressed. Our God is known as the God of hope! (Romans 15:13)
Paul’s letter to Titus is a letter of hope and encouragement to a pastor who is his son in the faith. He entrusted the churches in Crete to his oversight and wrote to instruct him in church order and pastoral ministry. Some of the basic instruction concerned the qualifications necessary for church leadership in the elders and deacons that he would appoint. Character was of the highest concern and it was to be discerned by observation of relationships in the family and community. A person’s reputation comes from his daily deeds and attitude. We become quickly known for how we treat others, especially those close to us. (Titus 1:6-8)
One of the main qualifications was a firm grasp on the Gospel message and Word of God. (Titus 1:9) A pastor’s job is to teach each age group in the church body how to respect others and serve them with godly character. If a person just claims to know God but behaves as if He does not exist, that person is unfit for service to God. They may be leading others astray and must be soundly rebuked! (Titus 1:13-15)
“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
It is by grace that we are saved and empowered to live a godly life. That grace came to us in Jesus Christ, the One Who redeemed us from sin and wickedness and cleansed us by His own blood. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to say “No” to sin and temptation. Through the Holy Spirit we know we belong to God and are a part of His family. (Romans 8:15-16) God has given us a blessed hope–His soon appearing to finish the work that He began in us! This hope keeps us moving forward while we await His appearing!
Grace to renounce ungodliness.
Scripture reading for September 26th: Titus 2, Psalm 42, Proverbs 6
Titus 2: 11-15 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed Hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Human self-will cannot overcome our flesh. It is through God’s grace made visible in His Son, Jesus Christ, that we can have the power to renounce our flesh and live in self-control and holy expectation of the return of Jesus. Grace is an inside job coming through repentance and faith and it involves the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit shows us that we are new creations, adopted into God’s family. We are now God’s own children and belong in His Household forever. We know this in the depths of our heart as the river of God’s love flows in us through the Spirit. We can sing His song of redemption and with zeal share the Good News of salvation and redemption awaiting the coming of our Savior to take us home!
Psalm 42:7-8 “Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace through Jesus Christ, revealing You as our Father and us as Your children. Thank you for grace to renounce our old way of life and embrace godliness and the joy of Your love and Jesus’ return. Thank you for cleansing me from the things You hated, and commanding Your steadfast love and a continual song of redemption in my heart! Hallelujah! Amen!
Proverbs 6:16-19 “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Our Blessed Hope
Scripture reading for July 12th: 1st Kings 13-14, 2nd Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2
Titus 2: 11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our Blessed Hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.”
Paul emphasized to Titus, his younger protégé, that God’s grace for salvation was for all the peoples of the earth. God was in Christ redeeming people from all nations from the bondage of sin and was purifying for Himself a people for His own possession. They would belong to the family of God and would share God’s heart and passion for reaching lost souls. The vision of the coming of Jesus Christ would be a source of hope and blessing to His people. This would empower them to live godly lives of witness as they waited for the glorious appearing! The great King is coming soon!
Psalm 47:6-8 “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace towards Jew and Gentile through Jesus Christ. Your goodness has drawn me and many to repentance and faith. I await with eager expectation the “Blessed Hope” of the return of Jesus Christ the King! Lead me today in the good works You have prepared for me that I might bring You glory when You return!
2nd Chronicles 12:5-6 “Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You abandoned Me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’ Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.””
People of purity!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Titus 2
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. Declare these things: exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Paul stressed to Titus that God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone had brought salvation to all men. The grace of God actually trains believers in righteousness and holy character which prepares us for the arrival of Jesus Christ in His glory. Any believer that is still living in sin has not yet obtained grace and will not be ready for Christ’s return. These simple truths were to be declared by Titus rebuking those still living in sin. Jesus Christ, our blessed hope, can return for us at any time and pastors are to be watchful over souls! They will have to give an account of their ministry to the Lord Jesus.
Titus 2:7 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of patience, sound doctrine, and rebuking those who were in need of correction. I pray that the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith will not be watered down in our culture to allow believers to avoid true repentance. Use me to preach sound doctrine with integrity, bringing salvation to the lost.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Amazing Grace!
Scripture reading for July 10th: 1st Kings 13-14, 2nd Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Grace from God’s merciful heart appeared to all men in the form of a man, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This grace, when received, teaches us to renounce all sins and worldly passion and to live holy lives in expectation of the return of Jesus, our ‘Blessed Hope!’ As we are waiting, we are to be joyfully focused on doing the good works Christ has prepared for us. This is amazing grace!
Psalm 47:7-8 “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your amazing grace shown to us in Jesus Christ. I choose to live a holy life, doing the good works You prepared for me and expecting the ‘Blessed Hope!’
2nd Chronicles 12:6 “Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.”
Grace is our teacher!
Scripture reading for October 9th: Isaiah 35-38, Titus 2
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, and upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our Blessed Hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
The hope of Christ’s Church is His return in glory to bring justice to the earth and full redemption for His people. Because of His great sacrifice for us, we are taught and empowered by His grace to live righteous and holy lives and to do the good works with joy that He has called us to do. The final recorded prayer of the Church is “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
Isaiah 35:8, 10 “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;” . . .And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and signing shall flee away.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the grace that is our teacher today. May I live in Your grace and grow in holiness, awaiting Your glorious return and the everlasting joy of life in Your presence. Amen.
Rejoicing in God our Hope!
Scripture reading for June 6th: Psalm 29-33
Key Scriptures: Psalm 33:18-22 “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and to keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.”
God’s eyes are always watching everything done on earth. He particularly watches those who fear and honor Him and have put their hope in His love and His promise to deliver them from death. This fact brings great joy to the psalmist as he sings of God’s faithful love. Waiting is with joy and expectation!
Rejoicing in the Blessed Hope: “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)
The Glorious Appearing!
Scripture reading for October 10th: Titus 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Titus 2: 11-14 “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.”
God’s great grace, extended to all who will repent and believe, has appeared to all men. This grace is the forgiveness of all sin and guilt and a gift of eternal life with an immediate down payment through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. This grace teaches us to say “NO!” to ungodliness and worldly passions. We now choose to live life in the newness of God’s Spirit and are ever conscious of the immanent return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our “blessed hope” motivates us to be found pure and holy and doing what He has commanded!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers live in expectation of the immanent appearing of our glorious God and Savior, Jesus Christ! “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
Teach sound doctrine!
Scripture reading for October 9th: Titus 2
Paul gave detailed instructions to Titus concerning his need to teach sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is not just a set of rules or laws on how to live, but it it a decision to obey the Word of God and imitate Jesus Christ, our great Teacher.
“Teach 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.” (Titus 2:2-5) Sound doctrine included practical teaching on how to live productively for the Kingdom of God in the social contexts of the day and time. Older men and women were the role-models for the younger. Self-control is mentioned for both men and women. Bringing our bodies under control of our will by the power of the Holy Spirit is sound doctrine! We must not live out of our feeling or passions.
“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, . . .” (Titus 2:7) Our example is strong teaching of sound doctrine. If our lives as Christians don’t reflect Jesus Christ, we have failed. It is by God’s grace that we can live out His Word. This grace teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright and lives while we wait for Jesus’ promised return! (Titus 2:11-14)