"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." Titus 3:1
I just finished reading Paul's short letter to Titus and wonder, how successful he was at the assignment Paul gave him. He asked that Titus to "....teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." (Titus 2:1-2)
It seems as if our church leadership is still struggling with the same knowledge gap as Paul and Titus were in the early church. As the "leadership example" within the society we, Christians still struggle with the same issues that Titus and his elders were supposed to educate out of us. "Be imitators of Christ," Paul said to the Ephesian church, and in similar fashion also to the church in Corinth he made the same call to obedience. It seems as if the message didn't ring very true.Perhaps the problem lies in the the second part of the instruction, "In your teaching show integrity, .... so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8 Paul knew that the "buck" stopped with his leadership. Unless they practiced in their lives what they taught the people, the message would not be received. God gave Moses the ten commandments not for him to judge us but for us to have a yardstick to measure one another against what God desires.
To have integrity is to practice what you profess. Without it our message of the good news of Jesus Christ will not be heard by those who are lost. It is incumbent upon us as Christians to be imitators of Christ in every aspect of our lives in public and in secret. We will fail at times but, praise God, we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. However, what others see in us is what they see in Christ therefore, our duty should not be taken lightly.
My Prayer: Father, help us to be more like you and less like our former selves. Make us imitators Christ so that we may teach others with authority and live lives of integrity. In Jesus name, Amen!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
God is Love
"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Rom 16:20
The Word of God says "God is Love" and that love inwardly (is):
The Word of God says "God is Love" and that love inwardly (is):
- Patient
- Kind
- Protects
- Trusts
- Hopes
- Perseveres
- Rejoices in Truth
And outwardly (toward others):
- Does not envy
- Does not boast
- Is not Rude
- Is not Proud
- Is not self-seeking
- Is not easily angered
- Keeps no record of wrongs.
I believe God tells us that by demonstrating these qualities in our inward love for him and outward love of others, he will crush Satan, as Paul's says, "under (our) feet." In other words it is up to us and our obedience if Satan's head is to be crushed under our heel ( Gen 3:15). Until we learn to love like Jesus, who was completely obedient to his Father and defeated sin and death, we will never completely remove Satan from our midst. Its a tall order and we better get on our knees and pray for the strength to follow what God says.
My prayer: Thank you Father for giving us a road map to understand you. I ask your forgiveness for our shortcomings and I pray for a renewed level of obedience of your Word, in Jesus mighty name! Amen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
God is Patient and Kind
"Love is patient. Love is kind" 1 Cor 13:6
The word "love" here is translated from the Greek "Agape" which means affectionate or benevolent or unconditional love or as John Gill's Bible expository puts it "an everlasting, unchangeable, and invariable love." The King James translation in fact uses the word "charity" in place of the word love. "Charity suffereth long and is kind." (KJV)
God, who foreknew us before we were born (Rom 11:2); ordained us for a purpose, His purpose. He, therefore, must be patient with us so that we can serve out His purpose for our lives on earth. He wants us to succeed in our relationship with him and our endeavors of service for the Kingdom. Everything that happens to us good and bad are a product of his work in us.
God's kindness and patience as modeled by his son Jesus is the standard God wants us to exhibit toward our neighbors. However, God realizing we are on a journey toward that standard, does not condemn us as we develop, rather he patiently and lovingly waits for us as we reach the fullness that he desires.
My prayer: Thank you Lord for being patient and kind with us. Mold us Father into the men and women of God that you desire us to be. Help us to be more like Jesus with every passing day and use us for your purposes and glory while we are in this world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
God is Love
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Cor 13:5-6
I had a great conversation with God this morning in my quiet time. I was taking my thrice daily medicine, reading the love chapter, and he showed me something awesome. 1 John 4:8 teaches that "God is love," and because that is true, God said, then from today's verse now you can more fully understand who I am.
God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs.
This truly astounded me. Am I that slow? After all these years as a Christian, I did not have even a vague idea of the character of God! For the first time in my life, I have a grasp on who God is. I know that my mind can never comprehend an infinite being but to write down these nine characteristics made God so real (tangible) to my human understanding.
Why should I be surprised? Wouldn't a God of such character want his children to understand him? He wrote the Bible using human hands so that the infinite could be explained to us in terms we may understand. We just need to read it!
My prayer: Father, thank you for giving us your Word so that we may have a glimpse into your infinite majesty. In the name of Jesus, whom you sent to show us physically who you are and to whom we owe our salvation, I pray for a continuous renewal of our minds so that we are transformed into your likeness. I pray for a boldness in our walk and a confidence in our spirit, so that we may take the gospel to a hurting world because you love all mankind!
I had a great conversation with God this morning in my quiet time. I was taking my thrice daily medicine, reading the love chapter, and he showed me something awesome. 1 John 4:8 teaches that "God is love," and because that is true, God said, then from today's verse now you can more fully understand who I am.
God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs.
This truly astounded me. Am I that slow? After all these years as a Christian, I did not have even a vague idea of the character of God! For the first time in my life, I have a grasp on who God is. I know that my mind can never comprehend an infinite being but to write down these nine characteristics made God so real (tangible) to my human understanding.
Why should I be surprised? Wouldn't a God of such character want his children to understand him? He wrote the Bible using human hands so that the infinite could be explained to us in terms we may understand. We just need to read it!
My prayer: Father, thank you for giving us your Word so that we may have a glimpse into your infinite majesty. In the name of Jesus, whom you sent to show us physically who you are and to whom we owe our salvation, I pray for a continuous renewal of our minds so that we are transformed into your likeness. I pray for a boldness in our walk and a confidence in our spirit, so that we may take the gospel to a hurting world because you love all mankind!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Giving in Love
"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1Cor:3
According to the Gates Foundation website, the foundation, established by Bill and Melinda Gates, has assets of over $35 billion and in 2007 alone made grants of over $2 billion! Wow, that is huge. In 2007, a recent MSNBC article reported, that Americans gave over $300 billion to charities (about a $1000 per person across the population). While not the same order of magnitude as the Gate's family, the sum of the whole is quite impressive.
Giving makes us feel good. Giving tells us that we "love"our brother and sister in need. Surely giving money and time are pleasing to God.
I wonder what God thinks? I wonder if all this giving is pleasing to God? I wonder if even the tithes and offerings we give (out of obedience) are acceptable to the Father?
These are tough questions. The widow who gave a penny (half of all she had) gave more than the rich man according to Jesus. Why? Did she do it out of obedience or was there something else behind her offering. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1 "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Talk about huge! I'm sorry Bill and Melinda, you guys are good but "a living sacrifice," God is in a different league. My "reasonable service!" I believe God and the widow made the all star team in there league and we are struggling in the minors!
God, again, sorts it out for us (at least for me). We must present all of ourselves as the sacrifice not just the extra we have after taking care of our "necessities" and pleasures. Paul continues in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world.....that ye (you and me) may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
This is too much Father, you're saying I have to give all of myself? It's more than money with you God? I can't just cover up my disobedience with a few bucks? "YES, YES, and YES John," he says.
I have come to realize through his word that no matter how much I argue, he wants my heart first and all the rest (tithes, gifts, offerings, etc) will come out of love, not my own ego. God wants to US to "prove what is that, good and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
God wants US (you and me) to show the world what is good and acceptable and perfect to him! Can you imagine? He must really have a lot of faith in us! I know I wouldn't trust me with that responsibility!
My Prayer: Your word never ceases to stop me in my tracks. Father, I am so inadequate, so imperfect yet so loved by you. Father, in earnest I ask, in the name of Jesus, for you to dig deep in me and help me to strip away the imperfection and bring me to a new place with my heart. I want to be able to show the world what you consider that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Because then, I will be giving to you out of love, not my own selfishness. Amen!
According to the Gates Foundation website, the foundation, established by Bill and Melinda Gates, has assets of over $35 billion and in 2007 alone made grants of over $2 billion! Wow, that is huge. In 2007, a recent MSNBC article reported, that Americans gave over $300 billion to charities (about a $1000 per person across the population). While not the same order of magnitude as the Gate's family, the sum of the whole is quite impressive.
Giving makes us feel good. Giving tells us that we "love"our brother and sister in need. Surely giving money and time are pleasing to God.
I wonder what God thinks? I wonder if all this giving is pleasing to God? I wonder if even the tithes and offerings we give (out of obedience) are acceptable to the Father?
These are tough questions. The widow who gave a penny (half of all she had) gave more than the rich man according to Jesus. Why? Did she do it out of obedience or was there something else behind her offering. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1 "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Talk about huge! I'm sorry Bill and Melinda, you guys are good but "a living sacrifice," God is in a different league. My "reasonable service!" I believe God and the widow made the all star team in there league and we are struggling in the minors!
God, again, sorts it out for us (at least for me). We must present all of ourselves as the sacrifice not just the extra we have after taking care of our "necessities" and pleasures. Paul continues in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world.....that ye (you and me) may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
This is too much Father, you're saying I have to give all of myself? It's more than money with you God? I can't just cover up my disobedience with a few bucks? "YES, YES, and YES John," he says.
I have come to realize through his word that no matter how much I argue, he wants my heart first and all the rest (tithes, gifts, offerings, etc) will come out of love, not my own ego. God wants to US to "prove what is that, good and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
God wants US (you and me) to show the world what is good and acceptable and perfect to him! Can you imagine? He must really have a lot of faith in us! I know I wouldn't trust me with that responsibility!
My Prayer: Your word never ceases to stop me in my tracks. Father, I am so inadequate, so imperfect yet so loved by you. Father, in earnest I ask, in the name of Jesus, for you to dig deep in me and help me to strip away the imperfection and bring me to a new place with my heart. I want to be able to show the world what you consider that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Because then, I will be giving to you out of love, not my own selfishness. Amen!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I Am Nothing without Love
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Cor 13:2
I used to think that if I had sufficient faith and understood God's will for my life, I had reached the place where God wanted me. However, as I pour over the details of this wonderful chapter in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, I find that God wants us to stretch ourselves continuously in all aspects of our spirit through his word. And, I have come to realize that he desires, above all else, that we learn how to love him and those around us with the same passion and zeal as Jesus did while he was among us.
Jesus said to "go into all the world and make disciples..." The more I read the Love Chapter the more I understand that "all the world" is a very difficult place to go. It is a place that takes us out of our comfort zone and sometimes even into danger, to love others and bring them to Jesus. I must confess, I still do not have that much love in me to risk my comfort like that.
We have one shot at life here on earth, and our Father wants us to tell others about him and how much he loved them, no matter their color, socioeconomic background, or geographic location. He wants us to minister to the worst our society has to offer and in the lowliest places on earth. He wants us to love the child molester as much as the child. He wants us to reach out to the murderer and the rapist as well as the old woman next door. Jesus communed with the worst of the worst in his day as a model of how we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is difficult but we must understand that it is God's will and have no choice but to be obedient.
What if, we loved the "lepers" of our day? What would the world look like if we embraced the terrorist and told him that Jesus Christ died for his sins too? What if, we (I) were truly obedient to God rather than choosing ourselves who to love today? What if, I loved like Jesus did?
My prayer: Father, I am a long way from loving you and my neighbor like you command. That is sin Father and I ask your forgiveness. Daddy wash me clean, so clean that the log in my eye does not blind me toward others. Show me how to love the "worst" as much as I do the "best." Do let me give up loving those who are hard to love because the going gets difficult. You haven't given up on me even when I fail, allow me to do the same with my fellow man. Thank you Lord and to you I give all the glory, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!
I used to think that if I had sufficient faith and understood God's will for my life, I had reached the place where God wanted me. However, as I pour over the details of this wonderful chapter in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, I find that God wants us to stretch ourselves continuously in all aspects of our spirit through his word. And, I have come to realize that he desires, above all else, that we learn how to love him and those around us with the same passion and zeal as Jesus did while he was among us.
Jesus said to "go into all the world and make disciples..." The more I read the Love Chapter the more I understand that "all the world" is a very difficult place to go. It is a place that takes us out of our comfort zone and sometimes even into danger, to love others and bring them to Jesus. I must confess, I still do not have that much love in me to risk my comfort like that.
We have one shot at life here on earth, and our Father wants us to tell others about him and how much he loved them, no matter their color, socioeconomic background, or geographic location. He wants us to minister to the worst our society has to offer and in the lowliest places on earth. He wants us to love the child molester as much as the child. He wants us to reach out to the murderer and the rapist as well as the old woman next door. Jesus communed with the worst of the worst in his day as a model of how we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is difficult but we must understand that it is God's will and have no choice but to be obedient.
What if, we loved the "lepers" of our day? What would the world look like if we embraced the terrorist and told him that Jesus Christ died for his sins too? What if, we (I) were truly obedient to God rather than choosing ourselves who to love today? What if, I loved like Jesus did?
My prayer: Father, I am a long way from loving you and my neighbor like you command. That is sin Father and I ask your forgiveness. Daddy wash me clean, so clean that the log in my eye does not blind me toward others. Show me how to love the "worst" as much as I do the "best." Do let me give up loving those who are hard to love because the going gets difficult. You haven't given up on me even when I fail, allow me to do the same with my fellow man. Thank you Lord and to you I give all the glory, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Clanging Symbol
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Cor. 13:1
Take one tablet three times daily, the doctor might say when prescribing medicine to assist in healing an infection. Such is the advice of a pastor I recently had an opportunity to hear at Promisekeepers 08. Bishop Larry Jackson (http://www.promisekeepers.org/speaker-bios/larry-jackson), the author of "Guilt Free Living," told a crowd of seven thousand including me who struggled with pornography, overwork, neglecting their family, financial difficulties, and many other sins to repent, find an accountability partner to pray with, rid yourself of temptations, and read 1 Cor 13 "The Love Chapter" three times a day.
I have begun to take his prescription. For the next several days and weeks, I will write devotionals relating to the chapter as the Lord begins to work inside me to restore my brokenness and pick up the pieces of my heart damaged by my sinful nature.
1 Cor 13:1 gets to the heart of our walk with God. Our relationship with Him must come from our heart and not only from outward displays such as speaking in tongues. Without true love like that which was demonstrated by Jesus Christ, none of our efforts or even our faith will be satisfying to God. We must learn to love God with everything that we are and we must love our fellow man as we love ourselves. Love is the endpoint of everything with God and once we achieve perfect love we will see clearly what Jesus was like and understand how he wants us to live.
Let's take this adventure together and see what God is going to do in our lives!
My prayer: Lord I am a sinner and a repeat offender, forgive me please. I ask in the name of Jesus that you patiently walk beside me and firmly reveal that which is displeasing to you in my life. Breakdown the walls of sin within me and replace them with love that is genuine, deep and overflowing. Teach me to love like you Daddy, give me a heart that breaks for your people, and use me as a vessel to reach others for Christ. Amen!
Take one tablet three times daily, the doctor might say when prescribing medicine to assist in healing an infection. Such is the advice of a pastor I recently had an opportunity to hear at Promisekeepers 08. Bishop Larry Jackson (http://www.promisekeepers.org/speaker-bios/larry-jackson), the author of "Guilt Free Living," told a crowd of seven thousand including me who struggled with pornography, overwork, neglecting their family, financial difficulties, and many other sins to repent, find an accountability partner to pray with, rid yourself of temptations, and read 1 Cor 13 "The Love Chapter" three times a day.
I have begun to take his prescription. For the next several days and weeks, I will write devotionals relating to the chapter as the Lord begins to work inside me to restore my brokenness and pick up the pieces of my heart damaged by my sinful nature.
1 Cor 13:1 gets to the heart of our walk with God. Our relationship with Him must come from our heart and not only from outward displays such as speaking in tongues. Without true love like that which was demonstrated by Jesus Christ, none of our efforts or even our faith will be satisfying to God. We must learn to love God with everything that we are and we must love our fellow man as we love ourselves. Love is the endpoint of everything with God and once we achieve perfect love we will see clearly what Jesus was like and understand how he wants us to live.
Let's take this adventure together and see what God is going to do in our lives!
My prayer: Lord I am a sinner and a repeat offender, forgive me please. I ask in the name of Jesus that you patiently walk beside me and firmly reveal that which is displeasing to you in my life. Breakdown the walls of sin within me and replace them with love that is genuine, deep and overflowing. Teach me to love like you Daddy, give me a heart that breaks for your people, and use me as a vessel to reach others for Christ. Amen!
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