Through the Bible - Isaiah 45-47, 1 Thessalonians 1
Good morning,
Today was one of those mornings that I woke up early with much on my mind. In such times I normally turn to prayer to take my mind off of my personal concerns.
This morning I was thinking and praying for some who have lost loved ones, or are suffering from prolonged illness, lost jobs, or have had sons return home.
The following verse came to my mind.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, NKJV
These were verses that I memorized at an early age in AWANA clubs (approved workmen are not ashamed). I didn't come close to fully grasping the meaning then and still have a lot to learn. What struck me this morning was the little word "soberly".
When going through difficult circumstances as mentioned above, we do not always think soberly, at least not at first. But by God's grace, as Christians He will bring us around.
Thinking soberly is thinking clearly. Seeing things as they are (going back to the word truth, reality as perceived by God) while not knowing what the future holds. Thankfully, we know Who holds the future. As Christians we should be "looking for the blessed hope". It's the attitude that Jean and I have had several times. saying and praying, "come Lord Jesus come", yet not my will but yours be done.
One of the things that we can learn from these experiences is that life is precious. Each day is precious and is a gift. That really struck me through Jeff's accident and when we learned of Jason's brain tumor several years ago. Jason is doing well, but each conversation I have, each time we see each other, I consider it a gift and a blessing from God.
Can you think of biblical examples? Paul comes to mind. I also think of the father in the parable of the prodigal son. We often picture him as representing God, but think of how he looked for the return of his son with hope, with eager expectation of the day, even though he did not know when it might come.
This salvation that we look forward to is by the grace of God as a gift.
I'll close by quoting an expert on God's amazing grace, John Newton.
“Salvation is wholly of grace, not only undeserved but undesired by us until God is pleased to awaken us to a sense of our need of it. And then we find everything prepared that our wants require or our wishes conceive; yea, that He has done exceedingly beyond what we could either ask or think.
Salvation is wholly of the Lord and bears those signatures of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness which distinguish all His works from the puny imitations of men. It is every way worthy of Himself, a great, a free, a full, a sure salvation.
It is great whether we consider the objects (miserable, hell-deserving sinners), the end (the restoration of such alienated creatures to His image and favor, to immortal life and happiness) or the means (the incarnation, humiliation, sufferings and death of His beloved Son). It is free, without exception of persons or cases, without any conditions or qualifications, but such as He, Himself, performs in them and bestows upon them.” - John Newton, “The Consolation”,
If you know of someone going through a tough time of grief, say a prayer for them, send a note of encouragement, may they be able to look for that blessed hope and glorious appearing.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Titus 2:6-3:1
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Trained by Saving Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
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