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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.

Titus 2:11-13

Paul writes these words to Titus, whom Paul describes as my true child in a common faith.

Paul gives Titus and us a picture here of God’s working in our lives and the reason for each of those steps He takes on our behalf.

Through God’s…  ( Click for more )

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely for nothing, they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not

know who will gather! And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you

Psalm 39:7 (ESV)

At first, David paints a dismal word picture. Then he speaks that he relies on God. Why does he say this? Earlier in the chapter he tells the Lord that he was silent but it was no use. (v.2)

At times believers have experiences when God has directed them to remain silent in light of surrounding circumstances that were not pleasing. When…  ( Click for more )

Anticipating Hope

Not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that sufferings produce endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Paul gives the Roman Christians sage wisdom in this passage.

“we rejoice in our sufferings,”

Wait a minute! None of us like to rejoice when we are ill. I, personally, didn’t rejoice when I severely broke my ankle…  ( Click for more )

Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 Isaiah 7:14 (NRSV)

Do we understand the significance of the angel’s message? This message refers to a prophecy of Isaiah some 4oo years earlier. God is with us!

Even today, we see evidence of God’s presence in our world.At the end of November 2017, I received a prayer request from a very dear friend. Her husband’s nephew had called and asked her to pray for his new-born granddaughter. The baby was born with…  ( Click for more )

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)

John says it very well. Jesus lived among His people. Do we truly realize what John says here? God came to earth and ate, worked, traveled, and experienced grief and happiness as we do. He chose to live among us.

God doesn’t sit on his throne, shaking his head and waits to see what kind of mischief we humans get into. When we do get into trouble and sin, He doesn’t say,” You’re on your…  ( Click for more )

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of the blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John1:11-13 (ESV)

John states something very basic to our belief here. When we receive Jesus we each become a child of God. Jesus’ earthly family did not believe in Him nor did a lot of those from the area where he grew up. When he spoke in Nazareth, they thought of whose earthly family he was a member…  ( Click for more )

Thoughts about Jesus

In the Beginning-The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1-2 (ESV)

The Apostle John observed the ministry and teachings of Jesus as the Lord traveled and preached throughout Israel.

He attests to His belief of who Jesus is. He tells us the very basic facts about Jesus Christ.

• He was present in the beginning. He assisted God in making man “in our own image.”

• He was with God. God sent Jesus to earth to teach the people about our heavenly Father. …  ( Click for more )

Everlasting

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33 (ESV)

God sent the angel Gabriel to give Mary the news of the impending birth of her baby, the Holy One.

Gabriel tells us that 1.) Her baby would be great. 2.) He would be called the Son of the Most High. 3.) He would reign…  ( Click for more )

In doing research for graphics for some blog posts last year, I came across words with a spectacular message.

As forms of giving praise we can:

P Pray continually.

R Read the Word every day.

A Acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

I Invest yourself in mentoring.

S Serve and share your faith.

E Encourage one another daily.

As I look at these, I find I have some work to do. Being one who is retired and…  ( Click for more )

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

On most days, I repeat this verse while I am still in bed. Doing this helps me have a good outlook on my day. However, this does not guarantee me a perfect day or a day without trials.

I heard a friend of mine preach a sermon on living in the moment. In it she told us about taking each day as it comes and not to look ahead to the next one, especially if we may have fears about what lay ahead for us. I have found that I am a happier person because I have practiced living in the moment.…  ( Click for more )

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, and

let us make a joyful noise to him with him with songs of praise.

Psalm 95:2 (NIV)

The psalmist gives us a formula with which to approach the LORD. He encourages us to come before Him with thanksgiving.

Have we received an answer to a long-standing prayer request? When we do, we should give thanks and praise to the LORD.

Has God spoken to us about something that has been on our heart? When He does, our response we give should be one of gratitude.

Has someone reached out to us to bring us out…  ( Click for more )

1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Apostle Paul wrote these words of guidance to the believers at Thessalonica and to us. What does He mean?

He encourages us to be in an attitude of prayer. To listen to those who share their concerns and offer to pray with them at that time.

I recently read a novel, River to Redemption, (1) in which one of the main characters expressed this verse as “Pray believing.” This character loved the LORD and used it as his life’s verse, guiding him through many trials of his life, accepting each thing as God’s Will…  ( Click for more )

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil to no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle. And to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2 (ESV)

Paul gives guidance to Titus that he is to remind those in his flock to:

•Submit to the rulers and authorities.

We are to cooperate with those who preside over us and those who enforce the laws that protect us.

● Be ready for every good work.

● Pray about your involvement…  ( Click for more )

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil."

Our Father

God created us all. He desires a special relationship with us. Jesus calls Him Father because that was He was Jesus’ Father. By addressing God as “Our Father”, the Lord includes each of us as God’s children.…  ( Click for more )

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8 (ESV)

Jesus suffered on the cross for you and for me. He endured agony the degree of which we will never have to undergo.

At any time prior to Gethsemane, he could have turned away and not have done as God had planned. However, in the garden, He prayed three times, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus chose to obey His Father, went through a trial that was based on false accusations. Because…  ( Click for more )

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

All of us who have been Christians for a lengthy period of time have heard the hymn, Trust and Obey. At church, we recently had a layman speak on Obedience. He uses the title of that hymn as a personal motto for his life.

My word for 2018 has been obedience. I found I made the right choice when I started my reading program for the year. Every…  ( Click for more )

Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not in anyways to do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:8-9 (KJV)

These are words penned by David. He writes that we should refrain from being angry and not seek revenge for any hurt inflicted on us.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 (KJV)

Paul tells us in the New Testament no to act out our anger. When we react to…  ( Click for more )

Vengeance

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD’. Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Paul writes these words to the believers at Rome. He gives sage advice from which we can learn.

In today’s world, we hear of and see road rage. Someone accidentally makes an error in driving. Another driver becomes offended and reacts. That reaction can lead to a dangerous consequence.

Interpersonal issues can start out small but sometimes escalate because both parties believe…  ( Click for more )

Be still and know I am God,

I will be exalted among the nations.

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us,

The God of Jacob is our fortress

Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)

David tells us words God spoke to him. The Lord tells us through David to come into His presence and listen for what he has for us. God Almighty then tells us He is with us and that He is our strength.

Be still

A part of prayer is listening to God. We are to give Him our requests and wait to hear from Him.

I enjoy the quietness of our home in the mornings.…  ( Click for more )

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

Be careful for nothing, Paul tells believers at Philippi and us not to worry about anything. I know it is hard to follow this advice but let’s see how we can follow his counsel.

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God Paul also tells us to pray…  ( Click for more )

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

With the events of this past week, I have been thinking a lot about the labels we put on one another. Our nation lost a great statesman when God called John McCain home. He did something unusual that we need to emulate in other aspects of our lives. He made friends of people who held different philosophies about how our government should work.

The apostle Paul wrote the words of our focus verse. He pointed out to the Galatian…  ( Click for more )

These are some thoughts I have had on prayer.

When we pray for someone, we ask God to guide that person through their day. If we are aware of his or her need, we specifically ask that He intervene in that circumstance. We may even ask God to bless that individual.

Sometimes, when have a difference with someone, we may have to ask God to forgive him or her because we can’t do it ourselves. When we have an issue affecting us, we try to seek His will and guidance for our lives.

When we get the sense that God is working in the areas that concern us, it…  ( Click for more )

but they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

When we are impatient, we make mistakes that usually create problems for us. Even when we attempt to fix those miscues on our own, we may act in haste and make conditions or issues worse.

The prophet Isaiah tells us we can wait for God to work out the tough spots. Either He changes the circumstances or He changes us-makes us stronger to where we can withstand what life and the enemy throw…  ( Click for more )

I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things

your name and your word.

On the day I called, you answered me;

my strength of soul you increased

Psalm 138:2-3 (ESV)

I bow down toward your holy temple

David humbles himself before God. As we go to God in prayer, we should also humble ourselves before Him.

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

He thanks Him for his steadfast love…  ( Click for more )