Loving Actions and Assurance

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

1 John 3:19-24 (NIV)

I admit that I have watched the tryouts for American Idol and it is good trainwreck TV. The sad thing is that some people don't know that they can't sing. Some people don't know how good they really are. The deal is that you know you are a singer not because you feel like a singer but because you sing and sing well. Being a Christian is not about feelings, being a Christian is about being Christlike.

How often do we first look to how we feel to assure ourselves of our relationship with God in Christ? Remember, we love because he first loved us. Notice that the Bible does not say that we feel like loving others therefore we love others. Let's get real here. If my love for my wife is only attached to feelings, our marriage is in trouble. I have to love her in actual, tangible ways. 

Let's get down to the bottom line. When we see someone in need and we can help, help. We love by faith. Faith in Christ that he will use our actions to glorify himself. Remember that this is not about your good deeds equaling your salvation. Don't get caught up in that stuff. Just try to be giving. God will sort it all out in Christ. 

Father, help us to enjoy each opportunity to love in action. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? / Titus 3:14

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." Titus 3:14

If being good was easy, the whole world would be a different place. But, that pesky sinful nature, just doesn't want to go away. And, truth be told, to some extent, behavior is learned. That is why, Paul reminds Titus to teach the people to do good and he mentions it twice here at the end of the letter (3:8, & 14). 

Another way of saying this would be to be in the habit of setting in place the right or best things to do. When you are devoted to something, you make time for it. My neighbor is definitely a devoted Dodger fan. I know this because every time there is a Dodger game I can hear him cheering (then I check my ESPN app  and see that the Dodger just scored). The point is that he plans and makes time to watch the games. In the same way we should think about good works; plan them out, and execute them. 

Right now, think of one good work you can do today. Plan it and do it. 

* I would love to hear what you come up with. Please write it in the comments section below. Then come back and let us know how it went. 

Spirit of the living God, give us wisdom to plan and do good works. Praise be to you in us today!

THIS IS A FOOTBALL: Titus 3:8

"This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Titus 3:8

There's a famous story about Vince Lombardi giving a speech to the Green Bay Packers at the beginning of training camp. He took a football at set it down in front of the team and said, "Gentlemen, this is a football." One of the players jokingly asked, "Coach, can you go over that again?" The point was that they needed to get back to the basics. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Christianity. The basics of our Christian life pretty much boil down to trust God and do good to others. Some people tend to overcomplicate things. Some, try to create a system by which they can check to see if what they're doing is right. Both, in my opinion lead to legalism. Legalism kills the joy and strangles the love inherent in following Christ. In Galatians 5:6b Paul reminds the Galatians that "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love". 

So, let's keep this simple. Whatever is going on in your life. Wherever you are at. Trust God and devote yourself to doing what is good. 

Father, help us to trust you and do what is good today, no matter where we work or what we are going through. 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. 

NOT USED BUT USEFUL: I Timothy 4:14

"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." I Timothy 4:14

This is a simple question and answer devotional today. What's your gift? or What are your gifts? Are you using them? You are useful in the kingdom of God!

Everyone is given a responsibility within the church. That means you. What is the need you see? If you think something needs to be done it could be the Holy Spirit prompting you. Be prompted!

The only other word of encouragement is to be willing. Be willing to let God do what he wants in and through you, because, it is not about your abilities it's about his power in you. His grace, again, given to you. Be useful, be blessed!

Father, help us, by faith,  to step into serving. Praise be to you in us today!

HOW TO DELIGHT YOURSELF IN GOD: Psalm 37:3-4

"Trust in the LORD and do good;
     dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 Delight yourself in the LORD
     and he will give you the desires of your heart."
 Psalm 37:3-4

On occasion I will watch the Discovery Channel show "Gold Rush". It's high pseudo-real life drama. The drama is that these people are risking everything to hit it big. They often encounter circumstances that seem out of their control. They are left with the option of giving up or just pressing on. Well, as Christians we are given one more option when things seem at their worst. We can delight ourselves in the Lord. 

Trust in the Lord, do good, dwell in the land, enjoy safe pasture and delight yourself in the Lord.  That is David's advice. Really, verse three is just how to delight yourself in the Lord. How do you delight yourself in the Lord? 

• You trust him to be Sovereign over everything do good where you are at. 
• Live by faith where you live. 
• Enjoy the safety and security of knowing that if you are trusting God, if you aren't where you are supposed to be, he can move you. Therefore, if you are trying to trust him you can trust he will reign over your life.

Father, help us to trust you right where you have us. Thank you that if you want to move us, you can. Praise be to you in us today!

TODAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH: II Thessalonians 2:13

"But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." II Thessalonians 2:13

Why be thankful? Because does the saving work, we believe. Sometimes we forget the beautiful simplicity of God's work in our lives. 

Paul reminds us that despite the whole world that will refuse to believe the truth, we are part of the chosen who do believe. That is the reason to be thankful. Thankful because the Spirit is working in us. The sanctifying work of the Spirit is an ongoing process. God is working now. Salvation is not just a ticket to get into heaven when we die. Salvation is the continuous work of the Spirit in our lives shaping us into the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

What is our job? Our job is to believe and act accordingly. Because we believe God is working in our lives we seek him, daily. That is why you are reading this, today. That is why we read the Bible on a daily basis. That is why we go to church. 

Now, here is a great question: What opportunity will become evident today for me to act in faith? Think about that today as you go about your daily business. What opportunities to act in faith will God provide? Be ready.

Father, open our eyes to see your work in our lives. Help us to live by faith. Praise be to you in us today!