TROUBLE? GOD IS PRESENT/ Psalm 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength,
     and ever-present help in trouble.
 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
  and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
 though its waters roar and foam
     and the mountains quake with their surging." 
 Psalm 46:1-3

What's your trouble? God is present. Is the earth giving way? Are the mountains falling into the depth of the sea? Is your life falling apart all around you? God is "ever-present". 

As much as I don't like to be in the midst of chaos and a life crisis, I have know the presence of God there. Sometimes after everything is stripped away, only God remains. In the silence. In the aloneness. Only God remains...

Father, help us to see you and hear you when things seem to fall apart all around us. Praise be to you in us today! 

NEED HELP? GOD HAS UNFAILING LOVE/ Psalm 44:26

"Rise up and help us;
     redeem us because of your unfailing love."
 Psalm 44:26

Remember, it's all about redemption. Christ died to redeem us from our sins. Sins of the past, present and future. His unfailing love is our help. Think about that: unfailing love. We may fail, he will not. Keep your focus on Christ. When you fail, seek Christ. When you succeed, praise him. In all things and at all time seek him. 

Father, help us to seek you always. Thank you for always being there and for your unfailing love! Praise be to you in us today!

Shhhhh! / Titus 3:1-2

"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 3:1-2

The past few years have held a bit of a dilemma for me. A couple of people I worked with operated in a manner I just didn't agree with. I had to deal with them and the backlash of how they treated other people. The difficulty is not in telling the truth. The challenge of grace is to tell the truth in the spirit of grace and love. For me that has meant there were times when I had to bite my tongue and not interject a comment about them into some conversations. Sometimes, in the middle of a statement I could sense the Spirit convicting me that I was going over the line. Shhh!

Two interesting thoughts here. One, the word for slander in the Greek is where we get the word blaspheme. It also has a sense of to vilify. To be honest, I kind of look at these people as villains.  But, I don't need to go on and on about how bad they are. Frankly, their actions have spoken louder than anything I could say and their reputations are set in stone. My response is to be peaceable and considerate with a healthy dose of humility. Shhh!

I think it was the movie Jumanji where a character tries to cheat the game by rolling early and his penalty is to be turned into a monkey. Another character asks him if he cheated and he replied something like he just tried to get ahead and she said, "That would be cheating." Sometimes we want to say, "I just..." and the Spirit says, "That would be wrong. Shhh!"

Trust God to deal with others, you just do what is right. 

Father, help us to do what is right by faith and to do what is good. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU READY? / Titus 3:1

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good." Titus 3:1

In sports there is the "ready position". You know, feet just a little more than shoulder width apart, knees bent, hands out, and ready to move which ever way is necessary to make the play. Spiritually speaking we need to be ready to make whatever play the Spirit of God puts before us. 

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

In I Peter 3:15 the Apostle says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 

Maybe this is why the saying, "What would Jesus do?" came about. I think that is always a good "stance" or mindset to be in. 

LIFT THE WALL! / Nehemiah 6:3

"So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"" Nehemiah 6:3

The men's group at my church, King's Harbor Church, has been mustering around the book of Nehemiah. One of the questions that we are supposed to be considering is: "What is the great project of our lives at this time?" It seems that our marriages and children are and will always be projects in our lives. Our personal walk/witness, abiding in Christ is also a live long project. 

The real value of the group I think is we are beginning to form and strengthen the support we can be for each other. When I worked construction we would often have to raise a wall. Each person needed to hold up their part of the wall. Once a strap (that held the wall to the floor while lifting) broke. One of the veteran framers yelled, "Hold your place!" He basically threatened to hit any one who ran with his 28 oz. rough face hammer if they tried to bail out. We needed everyone to hold their part of the wall and continue to life until it was up, plumed, and nailed in place. Everyone held their place and the wall went up nicely. 

The lesson here is that each of us is needed on the wall. There is a section with our name on it. We each have our section to man and to lift. Have you found your spot?

Father, help us to help with the projects you put before us and lay upon our hearts. Thank you for those around us on the wall. Praise be to you in us today!

BOY SCOUTS AND GODLINESS / Titus 2:13-14

"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 2:13-14

My youngest son is in Scouting and he just transitioned from a Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He had to learn the Scout Oath and Law. We had a Court of Honor meeting last night and our troop does a potluck. As we were getting in the car my son held the door open for his sister to get in first. That does not always happen. But, going to the scout meeting reminded him to act like a scout. I think that is kind of like us and the second coming of Christ. Realizing that Christ is coming should give us extra motivation to good. 

I think I should be eager to do what is good naturally. Unfortunately we do have a sinful nature that seeks self gratification without thought of the consequences.  It is worse than eating something that you know will give you heartburn later. It is worse because sin sometimes leaves a scar or a hook. But, doing what is godly, living a life of love in faith, never leaves a scar and doesn't hook you but frees you. When we do what is good, which is love as Christ loved us, we will reap the fruit of righteousness. 

Here's the to do: Be good to other people. How will you be good to your spouse today? Your kids? Your fellow workers or employees? Love as Christ has loved you...

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for your forgiveness, patience, grace and mercy. Your faithfulness is amazing! Help us to love as you have loved us! Praise be to you in us today!

STAY IN THE CHAIR! / Titus 2::13-14

"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 his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14

While we are waiting we don't remain stagnant. We are redeemed and purified. Our salvation isn't just about getting to heaven someday in the by-and-by when we die. No, now, while we wait, we redeem the time and seek to live pure and holy lives here on earth. 

When I was a kid I must have been the worst case scenario for every barber my parents took me too. I am very ticklish and I would squirm and wiggle every time the barber would touch my neck. It was torture for us both. Finally, my dad start cutting my hair and I just ended up with a butch - I believe now called the buzz cut. 

Believe it or not I am going to relate the wonderful process of God redeeming and purifying us (sanctifying us, if I may) to that of getting a haircut   The barber cuts our hair, but, we must remain in the chair and let him do his work. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit redeems us and purifies us, but, we must remain in Christ. Yes, sometimes we will be in some uncomfortable situations and we may squirm around a bit, but, we must remain in Christ and trust him to do his work within us. 

Lord, help us to remain in you as you work within us, redeeming and purifying us everyday. We wait for your blessed return. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD BRINGS THE VICTORY/ Psalm 44:6-8

"I do not trust my bow,
     my sword does not give me victory;
 but you give us victory over our enemies,
     you put our adversaries to shame.
 In God we make our boast all day long,
     and we will praise your name forever." 
Psalm 44:6-8

Lord, you know the battles in our lives. You know the battles in our hearts, our marriages, our families, finances and friendships. Reign in us! We look to you to bring us victory over our adversaries. In you we make our boast. If you do not fight for us, we will surely fail. Praise be to you in us today! 

VICTORY IS OURS!/ Psalm 44:4-5

"You are my King and my God,
     who decrees victories for Jacob.
 Through you we push back our enemies;
     through your name we trample our foes."
 Psalm 44:4-5

If there is going to be any victory in our lives it is because of our Kind and God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as the Psalmist realized the victories were all about God, we too must realize, only God can bring the victory.

"Through your name" we trample down our foes. I was just reading I Samuel 7 this morning and few things apply. First of all Israel repented (verse 2), and while they were seeking the Lord their enemy, the Philistines, decided to attack (verses 7). Isn't that the way it goes? We start to seek God in earnest and the trials start to come. The Israelites sought God and he gave them the victory (verses 14). 

Here's the deal: There will be battles. We will seek God and he will give us the victory. 

Father, help us to seek you. We look to you for the victories we need in our marriages, children, jobs and finances. Praise be to you in us today!

GOT HOPE / Titus 2:13

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13

Well, it's Friday. Thank God it's Friday! That is a sentiment echoed by many people every Friday. Maybe it has been a very stressful week, or you just looking forward to being with people or a person who you really enjoy being with. 

Waiting for our Savior's return is that to the nth degree! In Revelation 7:14 and 21:4 we are told that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Have you ever been in that place where you just know God is in control and everything is going to work out for the best and all is well? That is eternity with Christ...

When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes again he will come in victory. He will fight the final battle and destroy the enemy. Whatever is against us now will be forever defeated. Yes, in this world we will have tribulation. But, when Christ comes again, all that is against us, every power and every accusation, will be destroyed by the power of his word!

Lord, give us hope and help us to see the hope we have in you. Praise be to you in us today!

SIMPLE GODLINESS/ Titus 2:11-13

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. I 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 Christ." Titus 2:11-13

One of the great blessing of my life was being able to attend Capernwray Bible School in England for a year. So, while studying the Bible I was able to see a little bit of Europe. There was something that tourists, particularly Americans, did. Americans tend to walk with their heads up. The Europeans told me we were cocky because of that. I laughed and explained that we were not be arrogant, we were just looking at all the amazing architecture. But, you see, when you walk uprightly it is generally perceived as confidence. 

What does someone do when they know they did something wrong and asked? If they have a conscience, they bow their head. I once asked a teacher if they had said something to a student. He bowed his head and said, "Yes. Yes, I did. It will never happen again".

The idea of living an upright and godly life is that when we seek to love others as Christ loved us we can rest in the assurance that we did the right thing. Mark Twain said, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."  

In I John 2:10 reminds us, "Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble." Love as Christ loves you. 

Father, teach us to say "No" to ungodliness and "Yes" to godliness. Spirit of God, reign in us. Praise be to you in us today.  

GRACE & SELF-CONTROL/ 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." Titus 2:11-14

Self-control is a lifelong lesson. It is life long because although everyday is connected to the past and bridges to the future, it is new and unique unto itself. Today I will encounter circumstances, situations and people that will be opportunities to experience God and to seek to be godly. 

How does the grace of God that brings salvation tie into this moment? 

How does the grace of God affect the way I respond to each person and each situation and circumstance?

Father, teach us to say "No" and abide in you. Praise be to you in us today!

JUST SAY "NO"/ Titus 2:11-14

"For the grace that bring 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 Bible often puts things very simply. Just say "No". Notice it doesn't talk about how you will feel or what you might think, it just says to say "No". It reminds me of when my students sometimes want to "discuss" anything with me when they have been given a task. I will just repeat, "Get on task." Our sinful nature wants to do anything but be godly because godliness involves dying to self. 

The grace of God teaches us to rely upon the righteousness of Christ in us. We are righteous because Jesus died on the cross in place of our unrighteousness, our sin. When it comes to being tempted, and we will, we just have to learn to say "No". When opportunities for ungodliness and worldly passions arise, and they will, we need to learn to say "No". 

The mission for today: Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions.

Father, teaches us to say "No". Praise be to you in us today!

THE GOSPEL ON TWITTER/ Titus 2:11

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." Titus 2:11

I was engaged with someone on Twitter the other day concerning God and why there is evil in the world. The guy was sort of arguing that evil in the world is really God, if you believe in God, so therefore how can one believe in a God who allows or commits evil. I just think that if a person is an atheist, who by definition doesn't believe in God, can't bring up something they don't believe exists. So, if someone ia an atheist and God is out of the equation, how do they explain evil, or good for that matter? 

Here's the deal: to this atheist, whom I do pray God reveals himself to, the grace of God is revealed to him, even on Twitter. I also Tweeted to him that my belief in God leads me to value him, even if he disagrees with me, because he (in my world view as a Christian) is created in the image of God, and was worth dying for. 

He of course avoided that and wanted to dialogue about why someone would believe in such a "fantastical" book. 

The grace of God that brings salvation appears to all men. Sometimes through some odd ways, but, God ordained nonetheless. I just pray that my interactions, however they may appear, will bring grace and salvation to all men.

Father, help us to always be ready to give a reason for the hope within us and give us wisdom at the moment we need it to know what to say and how to say it with grace. Praise be to you in us today!

SET ME IN A FAMILY/ Psalm 68:4-6

"Sing to God, sing praise to his name,
     extol him who rides on the clouds - 
 his name is the LORD -
     and rejoice before him.
 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
     is God in his holy dwelling.
 God sets the lonely in families,
     he lead forth the prisoners with singing;
 but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."
 Psalm 68:4-6

I am been blessed with a wonderful godly wife and four children who all know God's Name. 

When I first became a Christian I knew I was not called to be single. I thought God would provide a wife pretty quickly because it just wouldn't be good to be single (for me). Well, God had other plans and I ended up not getting married until I was thirty six. Yes, that was a long time. I didn't like being single and when I did meet my wife, everyone wanted to know what kind of women could deal with me. 

One of the things that I found attractive about her was that her two boys were good boys. So, at thirtysix, I married into a family. The boys were and are to this day great young men. I sort of felt like Rip Van Winkle and I had somehow slept through this huge portion of my life. I woke up, was married and had two sons! 

The point here on Father's Day is that I thank God for setting me in a family. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you for being my Father and giving me such a great wife and children. Praise be to you, my Father. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT GIFT(S) HAS GOD GIVEN YOU? / Matthew 7:9-10

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:9-10

The best gifts God has given me, besides my salvation, which is a gimme, are my wife and my children. 

What is/are the best gift(s) God has given you? Leave us a note in the comment section.

Thank you, Father in heaven, for the wonderful gifts you have given me in my wife and children. Thank you for my salvation by which I can call out to you, "Abba, Father!" Praise be to you in us today!

REPRESENT!/Titus 2:10

"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 2:10

I have always been pretty upfront about my Christianity. Some people don't like that. But, whether they like it or not I don't want them using my life as an excuse not to believe in God. Only one or two of the people I have worked under have been Christians. I am sure that for most people it is the same. Since there is a spiritual battle always gone on, whether or see it or not, we need to remember that we represent Christ.

It is up to God to deal with peoples' hearts. There will be people who will find fault in you no matter what you do. But, that is because within themselves they are fighting against the Spirit of God and they can't admit God works in anyone in any way or else they will have to consider Christ. Every faithful moment of working as unto Christ is a testimony to those who don't believe. 

Father, make our lives attractive advertisements of your gospel to those who don't believe. Use us to build your kingdom. Praise be to you in us today! 

SERIOUSLY THOUGH.../ Titus 2:7-8

"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."

Titus 2:7-8

When I was just out of high school I attended Calvary Chapel's Bible School. It was at that time a very intense one semester course. Most of the teachers were in their mid to late twenties. At one point they kind of got into an unofficial competition of who could tell the best joke to "introduce" a lesson. At one point one of them got convicted because it became a distraction and took away from focusing on what they were supposed to be teaching and then  all became a bit more serious. Humor is a good, God given gift, but, it should not become the focus rather than the truth of the gospel. 

In my life I am concerned as a husband, father, coach and Scout parent/leader that my life shows integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech. What I say, how I say things and how I follow through with what I say is a direct reflection on my faith because my faith is shown by what I do. I can not tell my wife I love her yet be with someone else. I can not say I love my children yet give all my attention and time to other things. I, by faith, through the grace and power of Christ,  seek to live for Christ. 

We can with the Apostle Paul can be, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Father, thank you that you are always faithful, even when we fall short. Strengthen us to live with integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech. Praise be to you in us today!

ACTIONS TEACH: Titus 2:7-8

"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." 

Titus 2:7-8

One thing about teaching kids is that they pretty much know if you actually care or not. They aren't afraid to tell you either. I think that what is truly in your heart comes out in your actions. You can hold your tongue or sort of control what comes out of your mouth and you can even be very deliberate with what you do, but, the attitude with which you do things often unveils your heart.

You know, your wife and kids know you too. They see you when you are at your best and worst, ready or not. Since our actions speak louder than words we "say" a lot more than we speak. They needs to be a sameness to what we say and do.

What we are supposed to teach is godliness. That can only be done if we are reading the Bible and trying to live by faith. We aren't talking about perfection, we are talking about faith. Faith trusts God for mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Faith looks to God to provide for our daily bread. Those daily acts of faith set the example and demonstrate with integrity godliness in action.

Father, help us to live by faith and to be examples of integrity and faith. Praise be to you in us today!

GUESS WHAT? YOU'RE AN EXAMPLE: Titus 2:7-8

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In 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." 
Titus 2:7-8

Sometimes the family will be watching something on TV and I will check the scores on my phone or my e-mail. My son will drift over and check to see if I am playing Angry Birds or Super Stickman Golf (and if I am he'll ask if he can play). The deal is that I am always being an example of something. Even if I am just relaxing, I am being an example  of how to relax. "Always being an example by doing what is good."

If your children have been involved in sports than I am sure you have seen the one parent who is out of control, verbally. Now, I can be very loud and shall we say "expressive", but, I still need to be godly, even watching sports. "Always being an example by doing what is good." I remember once when my daughter was pretty young and we were watching the Lakers in the playoffs. I think Shaq was loafing on a play so I yelled something at the TV and my daughter parroted me, yelling exactly what I yelled. I didn't cuss, but, it wasn't necessarily appropriate language for a three year old. "Always being an example by doing what is good."  

You know, I just pray that my actions are just naturally godly so that no matter what I'm doing, my children will be able to follow my example. That is why I need to seek Christ everyday. "Always being an example by doing what is good."

Father, make us and mold us into the image of Jesus Christ. May our faith in you produce daily living that glorifies you. Praise be to you in us today!

SELF CONTROL: Titus 2:6

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled." 
Titus 2:6 

If there is one thing our culture does not teach young men to be it is self-controlled. I have been dealing with middle school students for about the last eight years as an educator. So many of these boys are lacking a father figure, or at least one of any substance. Quite often the ones that I have been the strictest with, end up wanting to hang around after class. I think it has to do with I always take time to explain why I discipline them and why I won't allow them to act certain ways. 

When the Apostle Paul tells Titus to "encourage" young men he uses the word "parakaleo" which has to do with calling to one's side, admonishing, exhorting and encouraging. I get the picture of mentoring. I have three men who really mentored me when I was in High School and entering college. My wrestling coach, my youth pastor and the principal of Capernwray Bible School in England. My coach encouraged me to focus my efforts and not give up. My pastor and principal taught me to focus on Christ and bring myself under his control. None, told me it would be easy. They each just told me to do it. 

I think that's the point, just give yourself to Christ and live for him. Live under his reign. He is able to bring you through. Just follow.

Father, help us to live under the control of Christ. Thank you that you help us serve you, not our emotions or desires. Praise be to you in us today!

REMEMBER THE VICTORIES: Psalm 44:1-3

"We have heard with our ears, O God;
     our fathers have told us
 what you did in their days,
     in days long ago.
 With your hand you drove out the nations
     and planted our fathers;
 you crushed the peoples
     and made our fathers flourish.
 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
     nor did their arm bring them victory;
 it was your right hand, your arm,
     and the light of your face, for you loved them."
 Psalm 44:1-3

Once, God opened a door for a job, three day after the opening was "closed". I was completely unaware of the way he moved in someone to recommend me for the job. That was about five years ago. Everything else went wrong, from the person who drafted the list of available candidates writing my information wrong to my boss not showing me the list until it was too late to have it changed. Yet, God make a way. 

What is one thing God did for you?

WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR YOU? :Psalm 44:1

"We have heard with our ears, O God;
     our fathers have told us
 what you did in their days,
     in days long ago."
 Psalm 44:1

What have you heard? What have you seen? That is my question today? What has gone done for you?

Please share a story with us...

OPPORTUNITIES TO ENDURE: Titus 2:2

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2

When I first gave my life to Christ I felt such a dramatic turn around within myself I kind of thought that if God continued to work as much as he did that first few years, that in about five or so he would have to take me home. I was young. I obviously didn't really get the depths at which God can work in our lives. I eventually realized that God had a lot to work on within me and following Christ was going to involve some patient endurance. 

I attend a men's study on Wednesday mornings. A friend shared that a battle he was having was his marriage was in shambles. You know, there has been times when I felt the same way. We made it through, but it really was a struggle for a while even though I believe we were both trying to seek God. Patient endurance can only be learned by going through something that requires patient endurance. My only hope was that somehow God would reign where I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Eventually a light came into view. The only thing I could do was trust God and try to love my wife like Christ loved me, even though I apparently wasn't doing to that too well. 

The bottom line is that Christ patiently deals with me with his enduring love. And I am to love others with that same patient endurance. Life will present us with opportunities, we just trust God and try to love others like Christ loves us.

Father, help us to keep our faith fixed on you. Open our eyes to see your love in our lives. Help us to love as you have loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

ACTIONS ARE THE GAUGE OF LOVE: Titus 2:2

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." 
Titus 2:2

The soundness of my love can be gauged by my actions. That is the only way I know how to honestly assess it. Some might say that it's the thought that counts, but, I guarantee my wife doesn't care if I say I love her but my attention is elsewhere. 

There are two kinds of people: Here I am people and there you are people. Christ came into this world, God incarnate, to serve. He did not come to earth and tour to adoring crowds. He came and healed people, sought out sinners to bring them back to God, and died in our place, for our sins upon the cross. If I get that truth, I have to love in action, not in feeling. I think in some respects everyone is a here I am person. We have to feed ourselves, take care of ourselves, provide for ourselves. But, as a Christian, I learn to die to myself and put others first, to be a there you are person.

Yesterday at work a friend was telling me how concerned about his daughter he was. She had been sick and was home with his wife. He said he just wanted to be there, not at work. It is the last week of classes with our students so there is a lot of work to be done to close out the school year, but he just wants to make sure his daughter is all right. You know, sometimes having children teaches you to die to yourself.  

To be sound in love is to love as Christ loved us. It's not about, "Here I am, Lord, love me!" It is about thanking God for his love and loving others because he first loved us. 

Lord, open our eyes to see the opportunities you place before us today to love others in your name. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for loving us first. Praise be to you in us today!

FOUND TO BE SOUND: Titus 2:2

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2

I have been blessed that I have been in church ever since I can remember. Good, solid churches that believed in the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God. Every now and then I will hear someone say something about God or the Bible and it just won't "sound" right. Sometimes I will have to check myself and make sure I am acting according to the truth found in the Bible. I attend a men's study (actually, I will go this morning). I need all the help I can get. It isn't just that I try to read my Bible on a daily basis, I try to do what it says. I am far from perfect, but, I must constantly realign myself with God. 

I am married and I have four children. I grew up in a family where no one ever felt the need to not tell you were wrong. I know that I am a sinner. My soundness as a Christian is wrapped in my faith in Christ. My soundness, your soundness is found in his grace, mercy and faithfulness.

Father, help us to be sound in our faith. Thank you for your grace, mercy and faithfulness. Praise be to you in us today!

SELF-CONTROL, YES YOU CAN: Titus 2:2

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2

Society tells people and men in particular that they have very little control over their most base instincts. People are animals. Men are dogs. Some desires are just products of the evolutionary process that allows us to survive as a species. The problem for me is that is not what the Bible, God's Word teaches. 

Everyone, men and women, have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are all born in sin. We all have a sinful nature.  We all need the grace of God. 

Paul instructs Titus of the grace of God that brings salvation and that it teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled lives (Titus 2:11-14). This is in complete contrast to the message of the world, which is a lie and will only lead to death. 

The bottom line: If God tells me to be self-controlled, I can control myself. I can control myself when I am living by faith in Christ Jesus who died for my sins and ever lives to intercede for me. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Father, teaches us to live by faith and be self-controlled, resting in the love of Christ! Praise be to you in us today!

HELP IN THE FOG: PSALM 43:3-4

"Send forth your light and your truth,
     let them guide me;
 let them bring me to your holy mountain,
     to the place where you dwell.
 Then will I go to the altar of God,
     to God, my joy and my delight.
 I will praise you with the harp,
     O God, my God."
 Psalm 43:3-4

Have you ever driven in the fog? It doesn't matter what time of day  it is, if the fog is bad, you can lose sight of the lines on the road and next thing you know you are off the road. If you are driving in unfamiliar territory, then the problem is amplified! 

That's kind of what our Christian walk can be like sometimes, isn't it? We  sometimes find ourselves in a bit of a fog and we not only are we unsure of where we are going,  we are a little unsure of where we are even on the road at the present time. That is where our faith becomes real. 

I grew up in the mountains and we had a lot of fog. I knew the roads pretty well. One time a friend from college was driving and I was sitting shotgun going up the mountain. It was pretty foggy. I was telling him the whole way up, "left, right, big left...hard right". He was If I stopped telling him, he would slow down to nearly stopped. He would say, "Keep telling me what's coming up!" I knew the roads. It isn't just the Christ knows the roads of our lives, he sees the dangers and problems too. That is why we look to him to light our way and tell us the truth about life, abundant life. 

Look to Christ and his word. He will lead you and guide you on your way. His truth will protect you. When you can't see the end from your vantage point,or maybe even the road just ahead, trust in Christ, he does!

Father, send forth your light and your truth. Help us to trust in you! Praise be to you in us today!

SHINE IN THE DARKNESS: Psalm 43:1

"Vindicate me, O God, 
     and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
     rescue me from deceitful and wicked men." 
 Psalm 43:1

During the last Presidential election the Democratic Party (at their convention) voted on keeping God and Israel in their platform. The  "vote" was so close the chairperson (Antonio Villaraigosa) had to redo it three times! We live in a nation that is rejecting God. 

We need to shine like stars in the darkness (Philippians 2:15) in this crooked and perverse generation. God will strengthen you. God will enable you. God will empower you. God will guide you. 

Father, help us to abide in you and shine like stars in this world. Praise be to you in us today!