Titus 2:10b
Show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teachings about God our Savior attractive.
God is awesome and worthy to be praised. He is everything beautiful. God is not in need of a makeover. Unfortunately, it is God’s human representation that makes him seem unattractive. By the way we carry ourselves and how ugly we act sometimes it can make people not want to come to God. Maybe that’s what Grandmamma meant when she said, “God don’t like ugly.” God doesn’t like when through our ugly behavior we make the teaching about God unattractive.
For this reason Paul tells Titus to teach men, women, children, and servants how to live their lives so that they make the teachings about God attractive. Today, how you carry yourself can determine whether or not people are attracted to God. We spend more time trying to attract people to us than we do trying to attract people to God. When we live right people will fall in love with the God in you and follow you to church instead of being repelled by the hypocrisy of religion.
This is how we make the teaching about God our Savior attractive:
1. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. Verse 7. Everyday of our lives we have to set an example for what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. We can’t teach what we don’t know and we can’t lead where we will not go. We may be the only bible that people ever read so our lives must be an open book.
2. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech. Verse 8. It is important to study God’s word so that you can show yourself approved. When you open your mouth be sure that you know what you are talking about so that the wise of this world will not be able to refute the knowledge that God has given you through his word. We must always be ready to give an account for what we believe.
3. Show that you can be trusted by not talking back, or stealing from the people you work for. Verses 9-10. Now Paul here was talking about domestic servants but in a real sense we are all servants of God. When we are employed by anyone we should show ourselves trustworthy in the way that that we submit and serve others. Calling ourselves Christian doesn’t mean anything if we don’t act like one at work.
Dear God, you are so beautiful to me, you are everything I hoped for and everything I need. Now help me live a life that is reflective of that beauty. In everything that I say and do may it draw people to the true and living savior. Your word is a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my pathway. Today, let me live out your word so that people in the dark can see how beautiful you really are.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Straighten It Out!
Titus 1:5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Have you ever wondered why you are still where you are? Sometimes it appears that everybody else is moving forward but you. It’s not that God has passed you but rather he has positioned you to straighten out the place where you’ve been assigned.
Many times when I go fishing my line gets tangled up. I can be on a roll catching fish and then my line gets in a mess. I want to go forward, move on down the lake but instead I must anchor down to get my line untangled before I can move on to better fishing spots. It takes great patience because to move forward with an unfinished mess would be very unproductive. What is it in your life that you need to straighten out before you move forward?
Paul told Titus for this reason I left you in Crete, to straighten out what was left unfinished. Your assignment where you are is to do two things:
1. Straighten out what was left unfinished. You can’t move on to something new until you take care of old business. The problem with some of us is that we keep jumping from one thing to the next without finishing what we started. There is an old proverb that states: never trade horses in the middle of the stream. You can’t jump from one thing to the other until you’ve successfully crossed over to the other side with the horse you started out with. Trying to switch in the middle of a river could get you swept away in the middle of unfinished business. No matter how much you dislike the horse you are on , your best bet is to get across the water before you try to switch. Before you leave Crete make sure you finish your assignment.
2. Appoint elders in every town. That is you must find people of character to raise up in leadership. You must reproduce leaders to ensure that the movement continues. Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples teaching them the things he taught them. It’s not enough to be saved if you have not reproduced yourself in others. Look at the character traits of these leaders in Titus 1:6-9. More importantly please know that you draw who you are.
Dear God,
Give me staying power. Sometimes it gets hard to finish where I am because I see where I want to be. Give me the wisdom and discipline to be where I am so that I can finish what you have assigned for me in this season of my life. Show me the right leaders so that I can appoint them in the different cities where you are calling us to as we head in a New Direction with mulit-sites. Most of all create in me the right spirit because I know that I draw who I am. We want to be more like Jesus inside and out. Thank you for my assignment and I am determined to straighten out what is unfinished.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Have you ever wondered why you are still where you are? Sometimes it appears that everybody else is moving forward but you. It’s not that God has passed you but rather he has positioned you to straighten out the place where you’ve been assigned.
Many times when I go fishing my line gets tangled up. I can be on a roll catching fish and then my line gets in a mess. I want to go forward, move on down the lake but instead I must anchor down to get my line untangled before I can move on to better fishing spots. It takes great patience because to move forward with an unfinished mess would be very unproductive. What is it in your life that you need to straighten out before you move forward?
Paul told Titus for this reason I left you in Crete, to straighten out what was left unfinished. Your assignment where you are is to do two things:
1. Straighten out what was left unfinished. You can’t move on to something new until you take care of old business. The problem with some of us is that we keep jumping from one thing to the next without finishing what we started. There is an old proverb that states: never trade horses in the middle of the stream. You can’t jump from one thing to the other until you’ve successfully crossed over to the other side with the horse you started out with. Trying to switch in the middle of a river could get you swept away in the middle of unfinished business. No matter how much you dislike the horse you are on , your best bet is to get across the water before you try to switch. Before you leave Crete make sure you finish your assignment.
2. Appoint elders in every town. That is you must find people of character to raise up in leadership. You must reproduce leaders to ensure that the movement continues. Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples teaching them the things he taught them. It’s not enough to be saved if you have not reproduced yourself in others. Look at the character traits of these leaders in Titus 1:6-9. More importantly please know that you draw who you are.
Dear God,
Give me staying power. Sometimes it gets hard to finish where I am because I see where I want to be. Give me the wisdom and discipline to be where I am so that I can finish what you have assigned for me in this season of my life. Show me the right leaders so that I can appoint them in the different cities where you are calling us to as we head in a New Direction with mulit-sites. Most of all create in me the right spirit because I know that I draw who I am. We want to be more like Jesus inside and out. Thank you for my assignment and I am determined to straighten out what is unfinished.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, June 28, 2010
You're Almost There!
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
There are times when we all want to give up in the midst of battle, in the middle of a ballgame, or in the strain of ministry. I remember there was a boxer who was getting beat so bad that the referee had to stop the fight. He didn't stop it because the fighter didn't have a chance to win. He stopped it because he had a mental meltdown, started crying and refused to fight back. The enemy wants nothing more than for us to have a mental meltdown and not fight back.
In spiritual warfare, it's the enemies job to make us feel like we are defeated when the fact is we still have some fight left in us.
1. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight." There were so many things Paul was fighting against to preach the gospel to the Gentiles: opposition from traditional people, opposition from haters, sickness, betrayal, loneliness, but Paul kept his eyes on the prize and kept on fighting. What keeps you fighting is what you keep your eyes on.
2. I have finished the race. He didn't say, "I won the race." he said, "I finished." this is an endurance race. I saw a young lady training to swim across the ocean. Her daddy trained her for six hours a day pushing her to near exhaustion, swimming against ocean currents to strengthen her legs, holding her under water to simulate the pressure of a free dive. Her daddy did this because he wanted her strong enough to finish.
Adversity is not always from the enemy, sometimes, it's your Father making you stronger so you will finish.
3. I have kept the faith in all that we go through, sometimes, it makes us feel like losing our faith. Instead, we must hold all the more. Don't lose your faith use your faith.
Dear God,
I'm holding on and I won't let go of your hand. Help me to finish strong and to fight the good fight of faith. I'm almost there and I refuse to give up.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
There are times when we all want to give up in the midst of battle, in the middle of a ballgame, or in the strain of ministry. I remember there was a boxer who was getting beat so bad that the referee had to stop the fight. He didn't stop it because the fighter didn't have a chance to win. He stopped it because he had a mental meltdown, started crying and refused to fight back. The enemy wants nothing more than for us to have a mental meltdown and not fight back.
In spiritual warfare, it's the enemies job to make us feel like we are defeated when the fact is we still have some fight left in us.
1. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight." There were so many things Paul was fighting against to preach the gospel to the Gentiles: opposition from traditional people, opposition from haters, sickness, betrayal, loneliness, but Paul kept his eyes on the prize and kept on fighting. What keeps you fighting is what you keep your eyes on.
2. I have finished the race. He didn't say, "I won the race." he said, "I finished." this is an endurance race. I saw a young lady training to swim across the ocean. Her daddy trained her for six hours a day pushing her to near exhaustion, swimming against ocean currents to strengthen her legs, holding her under water to simulate the pressure of a free dive. Her daddy did this because he wanted her strong enough to finish.
Adversity is not always from the enemy, sometimes, it's your Father making you stronger so you will finish.
3. I have kept the faith in all that we go through, sometimes, it makes us feel like losing our faith. Instead, we must hold all the more. Don't lose your faith use your faith.
Dear God,
I'm holding on and I won't let go of your hand. Help me to finish strong and to fight the good fight of faith. I'm almost there and I refuse to give up.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I'm Already Rich!
I Timothy 6:6 godliness with contentment is great gain
We’ve just come out of an era of excess, bling bling, spinners, gold teeth, mansions, and as the Lost Boyz sang, the coupes, the Lexus, and the Benz. We were hypnotized into believing in the “American Dream’ driven by capitalism and financed by debt that suffocated us into bankruptcy and foreclosures. We were like a hamster on a wheel chasing riches that eluded us because it is God who gives us the ability to get wealth. Even King Solomon, the wealthiest man of all times, gave good advice about contentment versus riches:
Proverbs 30:8-9
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Paul follows Solomon up by telling young Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain. We are already rich when we have God’s providential love for us. When people from third world countries or even neighboring countries like Haiti or Mexico come to the United States they are surprised at our wealth in even the poorest areas of America. Some of our ghettos are like the suburbs compared to their impoverished living conditions.
If we have food and clothing we will be content with that. I Timothy 6:8
Even when we were “poor” my mother always kept us fed and clothed. As a child I was rich with love because of my provision from my parents. We never knew we were poor until we grew up and was able to compare ourselves to the materialistic standards set by a capitalistic culture.
Today, thank God for what you already have; food, clothing, and shelter. If you have these you are already richer than the majority of the world.
Dear God, shift our paradigm to what true riches are. And if we are blessed to live beyond our daily bread and experience great wealth then let us follow Paul’s advise to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, we will lay up treasure as a firm foundation for the coming age. So that we may take hold of the life that is truly Life.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
We’ve just come out of an era of excess, bling bling, spinners, gold teeth, mansions, and as the Lost Boyz sang, the coupes, the Lexus, and the Benz. We were hypnotized into believing in the “American Dream’ driven by capitalism and financed by debt that suffocated us into bankruptcy and foreclosures. We were like a hamster on a wheel chasing riches that eluded us because it is God who gives us the ability to get wealth. Even King Solomon, the wealthiest man of all times, gave good advice about contentment versus riches:
Proverbs 30:8-9
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Paul follows Solomon up by telling young Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain. We are already rich when we have God’s providential love for us. When people from third world countries or even neighboring countries like Haiti or Mexico come to the United States they are surprised at our wealth in even the poorest areas of America. Some of our ghettos are like the suburbs compared to their impoverished living conditions.
If we have food and clothing we will be content with that. I Timothy 6:8
Even when we were “poor” my mother always kept us fed and clothed. As a child I was rich with love because of my provision from my parents. We never knew we were poor until we grew up and was able to compare ourselves to the materialistic standards set by a capitalistic culture.
Today, thank God for what you already have; food, clothing, and shelter. If you have these you are already richer than the majority of the world.
Dear God, shift our paradigm to what true riches are. And if we are blessed to live beyond our daily bread and experience great wealth then let us follow Paul’s advise to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, we will lay up treasure as a firm foundation for the coming age. So that we may take hold of the life that is truly Life.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Don't Leave A Trail
I Timothy 5:24
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
There’s a Dijorno Pizza commercial where a guy and some of his friends are eating Pizza when his wife walks in to discover muddy footprints on the carpet. She says, “Who did this?” the husband says, “it was the delivery guy.” The only problem is that he left the store bought pizza box in the trash and his wife made him scrub the stains out of the carpet. He left a trail.
How many of us are still cleaning up the mess of yesterdays miss steps? Sin is when we miss the mark; when we fall short of God’s standards. For some people it is obvious what their sin is, when they are belligerent offenders, criminals, prostitutes, murders, etc. But then there are those of us who look innocent but there is a trail that usually ties us to the crime.
The idea is not to cover up your trail so you won’t get caught but not to have a trail to cover up. God’s forensic skills are way better than Miami CSI. There is nothing done in the dark that will not come to light.
Don’t leave a trail:
1. Never say anything you don’t want repeated. One person always has to tell another person. What you whisper in the room will be shouted from the rooftops. Cell phones are megaphones for the enemy. Big brother is listening.
2. When you give don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. God is the only one who needs to see your generosity.
3. Always keep a clear conscious it’s your only alibi. A good name and reputation are worth more than gold.
4. Before you do anything ask yourself, “would I be embarrassed if this was on the front page of the newspaper?” If you see your mama passing out reading the article you should step away and make some other plans.
5. If you sin, confess your sins because God is faithful to forgive you of your sins.
Dear God, thank you for helping clean up my mess. Today, help me to walk with integrity so that I will not leave a trail of sin to discredit my name or bring shame to yours. Give me a clean heart so I can serve you. Thank you for keeping me even when I didn’t deserve to be kept. I love you Lord!
In Jesus name,
Amen
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
There’s a Dijorno Pizza commercial where a guy and some of his friends are eating Pizza when his wife walks in to discover muddy footprints on the carpet. She says, “Who did this?” the husband says, “it was the delivery guy.” The only problem is that he left the store bought pizza box in the trash and his wife made him scrub the stains out of the carpet. He left a trail.
How many of us are still cleaning up the mess of yesterdays miss steps? Sin is when we miss the mark; when we fall short of God’s standards. For some people it is obvious what their sin is, when they are belligerent offenders, criminals, prostitutes, murders, etc. But then there are those of us who look innocent but there is a trail that usually ties us to the crime.
The idea is not to cover up your trail so you won’t get caught but not to have a trail to cover up. God’s forensic skills are way better than Miami CSI. There is nothing done in the dark that will not come to light.
Don’t leave a trail:
1. Never say anything you don’t want repeated. One person always has to tell another person. What you whisper in the room will be shouted from the rooftops. Cell phones are megaphones for the enemy. Big brother is listening.
2. When you give don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. God is the only one who needs to see your generosity.
3. Always keep a clear conscious it’s your only alibi. A good name and reputation are worth more than gold.
4. Before you do anything ask yourself, “would I be embarrassed if this was on the front page of the newspaper?” If you see your mama passing out reading the article you should step away and make some other plans.
5. If you sin, confess your sins because God is faithful to forgive you of your sins.
Dear God, thank you for helping clean up my mess. Today, help me to walk with integrity so that I will not leave a trail of sin to discredit my name or bring shame to yours. Give me a clean heart so I can serve you. Thank you for keeping me even when I didn’t deserve to be kept. I love you Lord!
In Jesus name,
Amen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Age Ain't Nothing But A Number
I Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
God is raising up a younger generation who have a heart for him. This millennial generation is in search for meaning in all that they do but the older generation doesn’t want to relinquish their power with the excuse being, “they are too young.” When God has gifted you to lead through all of the experiences you’ve been through there is a no such thing as being too young. Sure you will have to mature for your position but you can’t let anyone look down on you because of your age because age ain’t nothing but a number! There are a lot of older people who stopped growing and a lot of younger people who are wise beyond their years. When you are young and gifted you must press forward into what God has called you into by setting an example…
1. In speech. When you open your mouth let everyone know how wise and mature you are. Sometimes, it’s better to be silent and be thought of as wise than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. When you are given the “mic” please have something to say because of the time you have spent studying prior to taking the stage of life.
2. In life. Your lifestyle is your résumé. People are always watching to observe the consistency of who you say you are. Your name is all you have so live in a way that protects your good name.
3. In love. Jesus said, “Anybody can love those who love them back” but it takes a spiritually mature person to love their enemies. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.
4. In faith. Always be ready to give an account of what you believe in. When times are hard don’t lose your faith use your faith. People would rather see a sermon lived out than hear a sermon preached.
5. In purity. Stay Gold! Protect your innocence. Bad company corrupts good character. Always check your motives and ask yourself why am I doing this? Is this for my own vain glory or is this to give God the Glory? Only what you do for Christ will last.
Dear God, empower this new generation of leaders to build where we have failed to finish building. Equip them to set an example for us as to how the Kingdom of Heaven should look on earth as it is in Heaven. Don’t let me be intimidated today by my youthfulness or lack of experience but help me to be inspired to lead as you have gifted me to lead. Give me wisdom to lead as you would have me. Age ain’t nothing but a number and greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
God is raising up a younger generation who have a heart for him. This millennial generation is in search for meaning in all that they do but the older generation doesn’t want to relinquish their power with the excuse being, “they are too young.” When God has gifted you to lead through all of the experiences you’ve been through there is a no such thing as being too young. Sure you will have to mature for your position but you can’t let anyone look down on you because of your age because age ain’t nothing but a number! There are a lot of older people who stopped growing and a lot of younger people who are wise beyond their years. When you are young and gifted you must press forward into what God has called you into by setting an example…
1. In speech. When you open your mouth let everyone know how wise and mature you are. Sometimes, it’s better to be silent and be thought of as wise than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. When you are given the “mic” please have something to say because of the time you have spent studying prior to taking the stage of life.
2. In life. Your lifestyle is your résumé. People are always watching to observe the consistency of who you say you are. Your name is all you have so live in a way that protects your good name.
3. In love. Jesus said, “Anybody can love those who love them back” but it takes a spiritually mature person to love their enemies. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.
4. In faith. Always be ready to give an account of what you believe in. When times are hard don’t lose your faith use your faith. People would rather see a sermon lived out than hear a sermon preached.
5. In purity. Stay Gold! Protect your innocence. Bad company corrupts good character. Always check your motives and ask yourself why am I doing this? Is this for my own vain glory or is this to give God the Glory? Only what you do for Christ will last.
Dear God, empower this new generation of leaders to build where we have failed to finish building. Equip them to set an example for us as to how the Kingdom of Heaven should look on earth as it is in Heaven. Don’t let me be intimidated today by my youthfulness or lack of experience but help me to be inspired to lead as you have gifted me to lead. Give me wisdom to lead as you would have me. Age ain’t nothing but a number and greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Who Do You Work For?
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Every day we go to work we have to find motivation for our work unless we are a part of the elite group of people you find meaning in work and meaning at work because they are working in their purpose. But there is a great majority not working in a place of purpose yet and they must still show up to work every day. Instead of faking it 'til you make it change your paradigm as to who you are working for. Look at your job as a mission field where God’s eye is always on you to see if you can help him expand his Kingdom through righteous living. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.
All my life I’ve had a drive and I never half step. If I’m going to do a job I do it with everything I got. Leave it all on the floor. Whatever God blesses you with work at it with all your heart.
Work at as if you are working for God not for men. If you work for men your work will be inconsistent because at some point men will let your down, anger you, or disappoint you but when you work for God your labor is not in vain. God’s benefits outweigh man’s any day. Jesus says, “come unto me all of you who labor and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.”
Dear God, today I’m working for you because your retirement plan of eternal life is second to none. Your compensation of daily bread is fulfilling. The way you promote me in the presence of my enemies is gratifying. Thank you for letting me serve you and work in your vineyard. I wouldn’t serve any other! You are an awesome God and worthy to be praised. Thank you for my position and for my purpose.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Every day we go to work we have to find motivation for our work unless we are a part of the elite group of people you find meaning in work and meaning at work because they are working in their purpose. But there is a great majority not working in a place of purpose yet and they must still show up to work every day. Instead of faking it 'til you make it change your paradigm as to who you are working for. Look at your job as a mission field where God’s eye is always on you to see if you can help him expand his Kingdom through righteous living. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.
All my life I’ve had a drive and I never half step. If I’m going to do a job I do it with everything I got. Leave it all on the floor. Whatever God blesses you with work at it with all your heart.
Work at as if you are working for God not for men. If you work for men your work will be inconsistent because at some point men will let your down, anger you, or disappoint you but when you work for God your labor is not in vain. God’s benefits outweigh man’s any day. Jesus says, “come unto me all of you who labor and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.”
Dear God, today I’m working for you because your retirement plan of eternal life is second to none. Your compensation of daily bread is fulfilling. The way you promote me in the presence of my enemies is gratifying. Thank you for letting me serve you and work in your vineyard. I wouldn’t serve any other! You are an awesome God and worthy to be praised. Thank you for my position and for my purpose.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
