All Day, Every Day

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3

I'm not much of a farmer and I don't have a green thumb, but, I do know that if I put a seeds for tomatoes in the ground I should see tomatoes, not lettuce, grow in that spot. What about our faith, what should I see as a result of my faith?

Well, there are a few things that faith may produce and one of them is love. Paul speaks of the Thessalonians observable love as the expected result of their growing faith. This is not a warm fuzzy, romantic love, rather it is a selfless, giving love. The demonstration of their love was lived out in what was not the easiest circumstances to be loving in. The Thessalonians were living out their faith in the midst of persecutions and trials. 

Sometimes God uses adverse circumstances to produce acts of faith that will bear eternal fruit. We are occasionally confronted with the choice to do something for someone else. That may "cost" us something we might like to have. It may be money, time or some thing we have. The Spirit of God will gently lead you in that moment to trust Him with the results. 

A long time ago I used to take the Blue Line Metro Rail to work. Every morning in between the station and my work a man would be sweeping his steps and the sidewalk in front of his home. As soon as he saw me he would begin to cuss me out like you wouldn't believe! "You *@#$ing, #@$%*, I'll kick your @##$%ing @#$*..."  He would continue yelling obscenities at me until I was at least out of earshot. One day I caught him just as he was looking up and I said, "Good morning, sir. How are you doing today?" He replied, "Good morning, how are you?" And every day after that he would say, "Good morning, how are you?" and I would reply, "Fine thanks, how are you?" Sometimes just being nice, which I believe is definitely godly, will produce the fruit of our faith. 

Opportunities to act in faith happen every day, all day long. Whatever you do, do in faith that God will use it to bring his kingdom into other peoples lives.  

The Power of No

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:11-12 NIV

One aspect of the grace of God that we often overlook is the power we are given to say no. The world does not teach you how to control desires. Think about things we have heard our whole lives. "Falling in love." "Men are dogs." "It's only natural." 

The grace of God means that we are no longer slaves to sin. Desires, emotions and passions are all subject to faith in Christ. He is above all things (see Ephesians 1:19-23). That does not mean you won't ever feel things, have desires or be passionate. But, Christ is Sovereign and his grace frees us from all other masters. We are free to, by faith in Christ, be self-controlled, upright and godly in this present evil age. 

The power to say no gives me the grace to say yes to serving others and loving others in Jesus Name. 

Does a Friend Need You to Stand by Them?

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

I have two sisters and one brother. We grew up like typical brothers and sisters. We argued , played, fought and laughed. After we moved out and we're living on our own my brother went through a bit of a hard time. I drove out from California to New Mexico to pick him up and bring him back for Christmas. He kind of thought that just because he was going through this particularly difficult situation that we might not support him. I told him that right or wrong (and he was in the right) he was my brother, I loved him and would always be there for him. 

Brotherly love just loves. Not romantic love. Not emotional fantasy love. It's stand by your friend, help no matter what love. Brotherly love stands with someone when they repent. It's not about condoning or judging, it's about support. Brotherly love tells the truth in love. It helps you see what is right and helps you do what is right. 

Who do you need to stand with today?

Godliness is not wimpy

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

Godliness has got to be a trait with little meaning to our modern  world. Our modern culture does not value godliness. Growing up the message I heard about godliness was a lot about what you didn't do. You don't get angry. You don't hit someone back. You don't think to highly of yourself. You don't lust. You don't drink. You don't go to R-rated movies. It made me see godliness as sort of advanced wimpiness. 

In contrast to much of what people think, the men of God found in the Bible were quite strong, bold and anything but wimpy. 

Think of Job. He was a strong powerful man who sought the Lord with all his heart. 

Then there was David, the warrior psalmist. He was a man after God's own heart. And he led his nation in battle. 

The Apostle Paul was definitely an A-type personality if there ever was one. Persecutor of the church  turned follower of the way. He preached the gospel to basically the know world and wrote a good portion of the New Testament. 

What about Peter, the fisherman turned fisher of men, disciple and apostle? I don't think you would call him wimpy. He stood up to the ruling Sanhedrin and declared, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God" (Acts 4:19b). He wrote this very epistle we are studying. He would die a martyr's death. 

Godliness is strength governed by grace and justice tempered with mercy. Living my life in godliness is not about things I don't do, it is loving others as Christ first loved me. 

Father, help us to be godly in all we say and do. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD'S RELIGION

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

A lot of people want to define religion as spiritual bigotry and dismiss the term altogether. Religion, as God sees it, is a good thing.  You just have to be religious in God's way.

In simple terms godly religion is focused on others, specifically those less fortunate who struggle caring for themselves and being in the world but not of it.  

One of the underlying themes of James is real Christianity. He has a real ability to cut to the chase. He's one of those people who after saying something that sort of jars you would say, "Just keeping it real." 

It's ok to be religious, if your religious God's way. God way is serving others and serving him. 

Father, help us to keep things real and live truly for you. 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!

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.  

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!

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!

GODLINESS IS THE END GOAL: Titus 1:1

"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." Titus 1:1

The playoffs are coming up for my son's little league baseball team. We have great pitching, but, our hitting has been a weakness. So, we have been spending more time in the batting cages. The goal: to get a lot of hits and score a lot of runs. 

Godliness is the desired effect of the knowledge of the truth and faith.  Although it may not always seem easy to be godly, it is fairly straightforward. To be godly is to be Christlike. To be Christlike is to be loving. Think for just a moment of a few things you will encounter today...how can you do that in a Christlike way? 

Lord Jesus, help us to treat people like you would treat them and to act with integrity and honesty, unlike many around us. Praise be to you in us today!

THE VALUE OF GODLINESS: I Timothy 6:11

You can pursue a lot of things in life. We all want the best for our families, especially our children. My daughter just completed a class at our church and at the end there was a nice ceremony where the girls all dressed up and the fathers sort of blessed them publicly. My wife and my daughter took a bit of time finding the right dress for the occasion and she (of course) looked beautiful. But, it is not the dress that I value. Rather, it is the looked in her eyes, welling up with tears, as I spoke about the woman of God I see her becoming, that I treasure. 

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." I Timothy 6:11

You can pursue money or things that cost a lot of money, but that does not produce the godly contentment that Paul encourages Timothy, and us, to seek. What does hold value is the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Striving to be righteous and godly in our actions, acting in faith shone in love, enduring trials and responding with gentleness, this is the pursuit that produces the riches of godly contentment. 

Father, help us to seek to please you and by faith to live content knowing you will supply us our every need in Christ Jesus. Praise be to you in us today!

A-TYPE CONTENTMENT: I Timothy 6:6

I would have to say that contentment is not easy for me. I have kind of an A-type personality so, I am a bit restless. But, I think the Apostle Paul was an extremely driven person. Maybe it was during the time he spent in prison, unable to go to all the churches he was deeply concerned for, where he learned the value of resting in the truth that God is Sovereign.  

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."                  I Timothy 6:6

Godliness with contentment is knowing you are where God wants you to be and what you have is what you need. If you need to be someplace else, God can move you. If you need something else, God can provide it. 

Just a few questions to ponder: 

Where are you now? 

What is it you need? 

If you are where God wants you to be, what is it he wants you to be doing? 

Father, show us yourself where we are, in what we are doing today. Praise be to you in us today!

TRAIN FOR NOW AND THEN: I Timothy 4:8

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.' I Timothy 4:8

Like me I am sure you have been to several training's in your life. I have had training for coaching, teaching, and administrating, just to name a few. They all something in common: a limited time that the training will have value. 

But, the spiritual disciplines I learned as a young Christian have been my guides taking me through the victories, defeats, losses and gains that are part of a life of faith. 

Someone once said that God gave us two ears and one mouth which means we should listen twice as much as we speak. I don't want to be legalistic about time spent with God. That said, I do believe it is important to seek God and that reading the Bible on a daily basis assures me that I have heard from God on a daily basis. 

I am amazed that the God who knows all things wants me to pray,to call upon him and ask him for my daily bread. I was with some friends and my youngest son this past weekend for a Scouting outing. I watched my son ask me and another father's son ask him for some money for something. Of course we each knew from the moment we went into the general store/arcade we would give them some money, so we gladly did. God knows our needs and desires before we ask. He also plans to provide and has promised to do so. 

Seeking to be a godly person is not just a pursuit momentary peace, but a relationship with Christ that is eternal. All the spiritual lesson's we learn affect us now and in the life to come. God will take care of you now and then. 

Father, thank you that seeking you is not a limited experience. Thank you that walking with you blesses me now and for eternity! Praise be to you in us today!

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: I Timothy 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
   He appeared in the flesh,
     was vindicated by the Spirit,
   was seen by angels,
     was preached among the nations,
   was believed on in the world,
     was taken up in glory."
I Timothy 3:16

Talking about the gospel in brief. This gospel requires godly leadership. To the world it is a mystery that is hidden from their understanding. But, to those of us who have believed it is a mystery that is being revealed, day by day, as we walk by faith in the saving work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As a husband and a father, I am called to walk by faith with my family, day by day, seeking to be a godly man, a more righteous man. I revel in the mystery of godliness which is Christ in me, the hope of glory. 

Father, help us to walk by faith and lead our marriages and families by following you. Praise be to you in us today!