Text: Titus 2:11-15
“Grace is the voice that calls us to change and gives us the power to pull it off.”
– Max Lucado
What would my everyday life look like if I understood—really understood— that grace influences my choices and how I respond?
I am a freak about being on time. As you can imagine, it can really set me off when my son is running late for school. Recently, I had an exceptionally bad morning which led to me flying down our street, taking air over speed bumps, yelling and ranting, all at the same time. As we came to a stop at the end of our street—where, ironically, I was about to make a right turn—I looked over and saw a boy with slumped shoulders and tears in eyes. My heart sank as I realized my anger, frustration and ugly words were hurtful and out of control, and we were not late. I quickly pulled myself together and thought about the grace God was giving me in that moment as I silently repented of my self-righteousness. As we continued our drive, I apologized for my outburst and asked my son for forgiveness. Our conversation was calm, gentle and kind. His physical demeanor changed, with shoulders rolled back and a smile on his face. When he got out of the car, he said, “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
God’s grace is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility to be a student of God’s word so that our character can be shaped to become more like Christ. As we are trained by grace our rugged edges are smoothed out, and our responses and how we treat others will change. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we learn to self-correct when we get off track. Thank God He loves us in the process!
Grace gives life, and that life sets off a chain reaction. We learn, we experience, we grow, we change–and we pass it on. “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15, NLT). Wow! It is a challenge that can be accomplished because His spirit lives in us, trains, equips and encourages us along the way so that we can be obedient Change Agents, fueled by grace.
And so our daily life goes on. There will be mishaps and there will be mistakes, yet let us be inspired and motivated “to live self controlled, upright, godly lives in the present age…” (Titus 2:12).
What right turn in your character is God training you to make so that you might be more like Jesus?
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Guest writer Debbie Eaton is a Southern CA girl who is passionate about the impact of daily influential God moments we have with one another. She deeply values being a follower of Christ, a wife of 27 years, mother of a teenage son, the beauty of friendship, writing, speaking, leadership and a good cup of coffee. She was the Director of Women’s Ministry at Saddleback Church.
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96 thoughts on "trained by grace"
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“What right turn in your character is God training you to make so that you might be more like Jesus? ”
Loving others. Genuinely loving them and showing compassion. I can have a mean attitude or just simply not caring. Not seeing their souls and that they are people too. Just not caring for the things they are going through. But lately loving them, and being nice. Showing compassion where it’s needed and sometimes where it’s not. To not be bitter about things that don’t please me. To find the joy in trials and not the terribleness of them. He’s been working on my heart a ton. But I’m ever so grateful for it❤
I struggle with giving my team at work Grace and I work in a church. I just get so busy trying to complete the task at hand that I forget to love people. Jesus, help me to give grace to others because you first gave me grace!
Wow!!! How I think I probably failed to give my children grace when they were young and I was frustrated over small things. I could so put myself in the authors place as I read this. I shared with my adult children who now have small children and asked them for forgiveness. Thank you for the reminder of God’s grace to us.
Thanks God, for this convicting devotional! Lately my husband has been helping me discover that I get way too caught up in how circumstances are affecting me, dwelling in my own hurt, so that i am unable to see the needs of others! It’s like the eyes of my heart get stuck turned in to myself, when they are meant to look outward to help others. Maybe this will resonate with another girl out there. Don’t get stuck in a perpetual pity party!
This devotion made me think about change. I so often pray for my dad, whose heart is so cold towards the Lord, but I rarely pray for a change in myself. I’ll seek the Lord for a change in a situation or when I’ve sinned, but what about the character flaws I don’t like in myself? I often work to manage them instead of seeking the grace that can make the changes for me. Father, mold me.
My heart has changed so much with this grace gift I’ve received!! I’ve been a Christian my whole life but only started seeking after God for real 13 months ago. Since then my reactions, interactions, and entire demeanor in the face of stress have all gradually changed! I am not who I used to be. Recently my ex husband (who would know, more than ANYONE, how ugly I can be when I’m angry!) mentioned how DIFFERENT I’ve become, asked me HOW, and was blown away when I told him “God changed my heart towards you”. We used to start fighting with each other the minute one of us entered the room, now we are able to co-parent and even text sometimes. It blows my mind!
I could not have done this on my own. It is a testament to God’s redeeming, life-giving Grace that any of this is possible! & I’m so thankful. SRT has been a huuuuuge part of this transformation, too. & I’m so, SO THANKFUL! Today’s devo definitely hit home for me.
Yes! His grace is sufficient in my weakness one thing that’s been hitting me is the humility of Jesus as he walked among us with no place to lay his head. Like Paul says I have nothing to boast in but the cross of the Lord. For when I am weak than I am strong.
This has made me think about the outcome of Gods forgiveness…his kindness which produces repentance. When I see just how kind God is by forgiving me through the sacrifice of his own son, I should be overwhelmed with thankfulness and wonder…a wonder that makes me want to know Christ and delight in the gift that he has given me – not trample it with actions against him.
How beautiful! His kindness DOES lead to repentance!! Thank you for reminding me!!
11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to REDEEM US FROM EVERY LAWLESS DEED, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14
Am I truly allowing God’s grace to influence my choices? Am I demonstrating His grace on my life to others by laying down my own will for their benefit?
Or am I selfishly pursuing my own desires despite the stumbling block I may be laying for others? “To the pure all things are pure…” Titus 1:15 but am I excusing my actions for selfish ambition? Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” I Corinthians 6:12 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” I Corinthians 13:3 Lord, help me to love others the way You love them. Show me where I have been using Your grace selfishly and help me to turn it around for Your glory and the pursuit of perfect love.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
I have lived that story, sadly, repeatedly. I have had too many opportunities to model humility and ask forgiveness. Grace has brought us through 18 years. So good to be reminded that God covers even our stubborn learning.
After living a double life and being held by strong holds of substance abuse and sexual immorality…God has called me to make a right turn in my character by surrendering my physical body to Him and freeing myself of this recurring sin which has caused me so much heart ache over the years. I am thankful for the grace God has shown me while walking with me through the darkness. I pray for discipline, wisdom, and obedience to be a Titus 2 woman!
I just prayed for you right now Haylee! May He grant you the wisdom, discipline & obedience & all the other things you need to overcome in these areas! I’ve been there, too. You got this!
G-R-A-C-E! Oh amazing grace how sweet the sound, I once was lost but now i'm found…..Thank you Jesus for always being so amazing and always showing me new mercy everyday. Even when I don't love myself because of something that I may do to offend you Lord. You still forgive me and show me GRACE!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!
Trained by Grace. I like that. Although it’s extremely hard to constantly love in light of Grace, it is possible. So I’m gonna take the first step in this journey. Pray that I’m filled with grace, patience, and love. Here goes!
I’m 19, unable to go to college yet, and jobless. I take care of my niece sometimes and I definitely let my frustration out on her when I’m having a bad day. This is Word I’ll definitely keep a screenshot as to remind me of grace! thank you so much!
We have 3 kids, 2 are adopted and special needs. I needed this today, as I’m not always as grace-filled as I desire to be with them. Asking Jesus for more!!
recently my son has not been sleeping through the night and it started to stress me out. Well yesterday I read this post and last night he started to do it again but because I read this post I remembered and I prayed and I changed my attitude about it. He end up sleeping through the night and woke up happy today.
Thank you SheReadsTruth. I am learning and getting a better understanding of God's grace and wisdom. Last but never least I want to Thank God because sometimes I feel as though he doesn't hear me but He always prove me wrong.
Exactly what I needed this morning
“These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15, NLT). Wow! It is a challenge that can be accomplished because His spirit lives in us, trains, equips and encourages us along the way so that we can be obedient Change Agents, fueled by grace. — the job/ privilege of parenting. {obedient change agents} to teach our children about the necessary change/predicament that will bring them to God. Christ is our change.
Amen, sister! I love what you said about Christ being our change. We love having you here!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Debbie, thank you for being transparent about the anger you had. I so often find myself in similar situations; realizing my frustration has knocked the sweet, playfulness out of my two little ones. They weren't trying to be slow, loud or whatever I wanted the opposite of at the moment. My fav part is when you said, "our rugged edges are smoothed out by grace"! Thank you, thank you.
I love this teaching. It comes right on a time, meditating on these verses this morning.
One of the beautiful parts of this for me is how grace can make the rough edges of our character smooth and convict us to change. The Holy Spirit has been convicting me daily, that I need to be a better listener! And I want to be a better listener! Maybe as women we get so excited when talking and have so much to say , I have the tendency to " cut " people off though, and I've been reccognizing this and don't like it and want the grace of God to change this ugly part of me. When it's a change that causes you to become more in line with the character of Christ, He will give us the power to do so…thank you, Lord!
"We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed." (Titus 2:12-13 NLT). Words for me to remember. I love the picture of living in the moment, but with eyes focused on Christ and our eternal home. And also with the reminder in the surrounding verses of action, of doing–"turn", "teach", "encourage"–as Paul instructs. I'd love to see a screensaver with these verses someday. ;)
Jill, Diane and anyone waiting on God’s promise, please click on the link below, amen.
http://m.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/clinging-to-hope-in-god-s-promises.html?utm_source=Crosswalk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=060714
Thank you! I printed it and I'm keeping it in my journal to refer to whenever doubt arises.
"God’s grace is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility to be a student of God’s word so that our character can be shaped to become more like Christ." Hallelujah! God is training me to be more compassionate. The closer I get to God's glorious presence, the more of a sap I become. He's softened my heart with His warm hands and really allowed me how to discern what people are going through. I've decided no matter where I am (home, work, out on the town) I'm going to show grace as I'm shown grace from God. I loved that this devo put everything into perspective.
"God’s grace is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility to be a student of God’s word so that our character can be shaped to become more like Christ. As we are trained by grace our rugged edges are smoothed out, and our responses and how we treat others will change. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we learn to self-correct when we get off track. Thank God He loves us in the process!"
I loved that paragraph. It seemed to reflect my thoughts as I focused on Vs. 12 in our passage today. I am so grateful that God gives us grace. That we don't have to keep our mistakes but rather they are under grace!
Good morning precious ladies! I'm very new here, just joined in at the beginning of the Nehemiah study. I've often wanted to contribute to the conversation, but I quickly shy away. Everyone writes such beautiful and profound thoughts, I fear I don't much of value to share. This morning I feel compelled to confess my extreme lack of grace toward my husband. I don't want to bash him or put him down in any way so I've never shared this part of my heart with anyone, but I am in desperate need of prayer, so I will try to pour out my heart without dis-honoring my husband.
I need my husband to be a spiritual leader. I need to know he is praying for our kids and our marriage and for me. It's the loneliest feeling knowing that no one is praying for me on a daily bases. I feel like I'm in a battle for the salvation of our two sons (in their 20s, walked away from The Lord), and I'm fighting this battle in prayer all alone. My husband and I rarely talk about spiritual things, he has no interest in reading God's Word, and I love His Word and wish I could share what I read about everyday. When I do try to share something The Lord showed me in His Word, his eyes seem to glaze over and I can tell he's not really listening or has no interest in what I'm saying.
The reason I chose to finally post and ask for prayer is this passage on grace. I need the grace of God to stop feeling resentful and blaming my husband for our sons walking away from The Lord. I find myself blaming him for not being an example of a godly man at home.
I've been praying for my husband for over 20 years. I often feel ready to give up. I even question whether or not he is really saved. I can't talk to him about it because he gets very defensive.
I've begun changing the way I pray recently, instead of asking God to change him, I've been asking Him the change me; my perspective and attitude. When I become depressed or frustrated I ask The Lord to teach me something me in that situation.
So, I lay this all out before you ladies because quite frankly, I can't do this all alone. I just ask that someone would join me in prayer. Maybe there is someone here who is going through, or has gone through a similar situation. I feel totally alone in this.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Oh my sweet sister I can relate. Praying for you and I both to pour out grace to our husbands like our precious Father pours out to us!
Thank you so much. It helps to know there is someone who understands, sometimes it can be so isolating because I don't feel like I can talk to anyone without sounding like I'm bashing my husband. I truly appreciate your prayers.
Jill, you are NOT alone! I will be praying for you and your situation. May God's grace pour down on you in abundance. Please continue to share, you're among family.
Thank you Steph. Your prayers mean so much to me.
You are not alone. I have been walking this road without support from my husband my whole Christian life. It has become a place of praise for what is still not seen ,but believed as nothing is impossible with The Lord .
We aren't given the reason for such a stand off, but He gives more grace. Praying for you to be at peace for where you are, leave it in His capable hands ?
Dear Jill, I am a few days behind in the study and just came across your comment. I am so happy you have brought up this issue because I am also curious to how I can involve my husband to become more spiritual. i have only just begun studying the Bible, yet it has opened my eyes so much that I get so excited to share it with people around me. and he would be my first choice. But I don't want to push it on to him. i have mentioned my study to him several times, he sees me studying every day, but there is just no deeper interest on his part. How wonderful would it have been to be able to to share this experience with him and I am saddened that it is not so. I read about couples who do this together and it seems like such a uniting experience. Maybe we would all need less couple therapy if we dwelled more in His word. I haven't given up yet. I believe that if it is in God's plan, it will happen naturally. Meanwhile I keep on with my study and maybe for now it is enough for our family. I pray the Lord reveals his plan for our husbands to us and makes it easier for us to accept them and love them as they are until that happens. Amen!
Oh Diane, me too. Xo.
I’ve been experiencing some real challenges at work to the extent that I’m concerned I may be let go. It is hard not to be angry and terrified. As a single woman who is pretty close to retirement age, I still have many financial obligations and my son, who was out of work for almost a year, moved in with me. He starts a job in two weeks (hallelujah!) but I’m paying all his bills plus mine. Panic? Anxiety? Last night a wave of God’s Spirit rolled over me and I was strongly impressed to again remember that HE is my source, not my paycheck. I am grateful. But please pray — if you think of it — that I can be grace-full and calm in this situation. –linda
Leenda324, I'm praying for you. I know how it feels to be anxious.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.-Hebrews 4:16
God bless you.
keep reaching for those waves of Gods spirit to roll over you, his grace is endless. Before we call HE answers. He knows all our trials and is helping us moment by moment. Praying with you for this!
Right at the point I think I could believe that I have arrived at this grace intersection,I get smacked back into reality?
This grace is such a gift, I don't think I can store it up for future tests,I need to keep coming back for more through confession and repentance. so I confess to you, my dear SRT sisters that I fall down most days when my selfish nature rears up and demands satisfaction. thank you for this reminder and the ones from the last few days. We are to be peculiar, we are not always going to enjoy our situations and the harder the challenge, the more we learn.
My husband and I are Sr.people who are accepting and struggling with the glaring reality that we might be here in the next 10 to 15 years. Life is short,we are still called to walk out our faith,there are oh excuses,everyone is watching how we do it. everyday.
I am taken back to the cross,where Jesus gave up HIs humanity to save me.This is Amazing Grace.
Good Morning Beautiful Ladies!
So I just wanted to share some stuff and since this is intend for us to share and grow with people seeking the same thing in life, to be more like Jesus I figured it would be great.
I've been praying and asking God for his Grace, Mercy and Peace as had read and discussed before and I've been praying for it to become contagious unto others around me. Especially at my work, I work where so many people come in seeking…. for a lack of a better word, companion. You can just see and feel the hunger that they feel for something that they don't understand can only be filled with Jesus. And I've always wanted to be able to freely talk about Him and introduce Our Father God into their life. But I never did, mainly my flesh stopped me, I felt like I needed to be perfect myself before I could go around saying "JESUS! LIVES IN ME! AND MY LIFE IS NOT THE SAME!" And it wasn't but I still continued to sin and loose battles. Now I'm seeing what a misconception I had and I'm human… as cliche as that is. I'm human and I'm going to make mistakes but the thing with being a Christian I think is that we just keep our eyes on God even when we fall and make mistakes because He still loves us and that's why He did what he did and we are LOVED!
Well today, I was presented with the opportunity to do so, share Him. I could feel like God was saying, here you've been praying for this, DO IT! And so I did. IT WAS AMAZING! The joy that came from sharing Him with someone was unimaginable! The lady I spoke with was so hungry for it she left with a smile on her face knowing God Loves her and He has the control in our lives for the better if we simply let him take over.
I kinda feel like I rambled alot but i just want to share him and talk about Him and let Him reign through my life. Have a blessed joyful day :D
"As we are trained by grace our rugged edges are smoothed out, and our responses and how we treat others will change. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we learn to self-correct when we get off track. Thank God He loves us in the process!" Thank Him, that He truly does love me in the process. I'm going to come back to get more in depth and to read everyone's comments, because today I'm fishing with my dad (a beautiful thing that I am so thankful to do). What right turn in character is the Lord asking me to make to become more like Him? It is definitely a removal of a mixture of pride, self-righteousness, and fear/paranoia. To become less fickle, more consistent. Father, thank you for making this change in me a step at a time. Love you girls.
What would my everyday life look like if I understood—really understood— that grace influences my choices and how I respond?
Wow, did I need this today! I am so in need of Gods Grace to help me overcome a negative, control freak attitude in my heart! No matter how hard I try to change, it seems to fail every time. I need Gods Holy Spirit & His Grace to set me free. Thank you for that illustration, I have been there! Even now with my children all grown up I can still vividly remember those scenes. But thanks be to God, there is always forgiveness & change of heart!
I'm right with ya my sister!!
"Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we learn to self-correct when we get off track."
This line really jumped out at me. I've had quite a strong conscience lately and i've thought a lot about wasting time. not investing enough time with God, my husband or my kids for the sake of alone time or "me time". I've justified it by thinking to myself that I deserve it somehow or it makes me a better mom. Titus 2: 11-12 really convicted me:
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…"
May I rely on that and not on my own selfish desires.
When looking at the word grace in general, I always saw it as just a gift that offers salvation and corrects us etc. “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self controlled, upright and godly live in the present age.” ..grace is so much more. If Grace teaches, then Grace is a Teacher. A Teacher is a Person and that Person is Jesus. After reading this and really meditating on it I see Grace being Personified. :) Jesus is Grace!
Awesome perspective Jaida. You are indeed rite. We receive grace through Jesus Christ. Without Christ there is no grace, without Christ we could not be saved and reconciled back to our Father. For Grace it is that brings salvation. Bless the Lord for you Jaida.
John 1:17 KJV
For the law was given by Moses, but GRACE and truth came by Jesus Christ
Yes Jaida!! I love the concept of Grace being personified!!
"God's grace is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility to be a student of God's Word so that our character can be shaped to become more like Christ." Powerful words this morning!! I've never heard grace described in this way before, but it's so very true! Grace is the ultimate gift from God that started with him sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. We can't earn it nor do we deserve it. It is given because God LOVES each and every one of us. Yet when we make that decision to take that gift of grace, there has to be a change of heart. We can't go on living our sinful lives doing as we please. We must make that "right turn" and live our lives in such a way that it lines up with God's Word. And it isn't always easy! I stumble and sometimes even fall flat on my face trying to walk the Christian walk; but I am so very thankful to know that because of God's grace, he will reach his hand out to me again and again to pull me back up, brush me off, and help me get back on track.
My right turn is so tied into what we've been studying in Titus…The Lord is working with me on being consistent in the person I am while studying his word (or maybe the person I *want to be*), versus the person I let myself become at work. I become so critical, so judgmental, so harsh with my words. I want to "live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God" (v 12), but I constantly reflect at the end of the day that I've backslidden yet again without realizing it. We are in constant need of God's grace, aren't we?
Love this study on Titus! I'm so thankful that my rugged edges are being smoothed out by God's grace.
Grace trains us. This hit me today because it was never a thought that crossed my mind. How wonderful!
These past two days it has been on my heart that God calls us to live these "self-controlled, upright, and godly lives" so that others can see his grace and love. We are not living as Christ teaches so that we can be "good". This way of living brings glory to God and lets our light shine in the world. Living out love instead of sin.
My rugged edges this week have needed to be smoothed out with God's grace, so this sweet song has been on repeat…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cka7fYhWj2E
Amen! I am a Change Agent, fueled by Grace! Awesome. Awesome. Awesome! To God be the Glory!
If I could only be more cognizant of the fact that God brought grace into my life for his glory and not my own, I'm sure I could live in a place of greater godliness. But so often, I leave God out of my godliness equation and make it all about my own striving.
My right turn is that I often get overwhelmed bu high social settings, and out of anxiety withdraw or even leave a situation that could have brought a lot of peace through community. Thinking on grace, in those moments I can remember that I don't need to flee. I was also struck by the last part of verse 15: "Let no one disregard you." If God doesn't disregard me, but sees me as being able to adorn the gospel, then I shouldn't disregard myself in situations where I feel anxious. And I shouldn't disregard any of the other quiet, reserved people around, especially if God has given me a bit of understanding what that's like.
Each time I encounter the word "grace," two phrases come up in my head: "great grace," and "grace upon grace."
"Great grace" comes from Matt Redman's song, Your Grace Finds Me. I listened to it as I worshipped & prayed this morning, just enjoying being in my Father's presence. Here's a link to a live performance of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqd8MoiCbcI
"Grace upon grace" comes from a passage in John. There, it says — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth … And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. || John 1: 14, 16.
Blessings over your beautiful Saturdays, sisters!
Grace Upon Grace is also in a beautiful song by Sandra McCracken, Derek Webb's wife. I can't hear that phrase without her song coming into my head and it always brings this feeling of awe for my Savior from deep in my heart. When I reflect upon the grace upon grace upon grace the Savior lavishes on me, it's just….wow.
John 1 is one of my very favorite Bible passages, and I have always loved that phrase. Thanks for bringing it back into focus for me!
I took away from this reading a real sense of comfort. To know that I am in training to live righteously is to know that I am not expected to be perfect, but to be practicing and learning by mistake.
O very thankful for His grace, that lets me know when I am outside His will, and allows me to use His power to turn the other way. To be more like Him.
God's grace is a gift and with that gift comes responsibility….. As I read this devotion this morning, it made me think of showing grace to others that I don't agree with in my family. Those that have hurt me and I in turn have treated them with anything but grace. Thank you for reminding me that in every situation I need to have grace, not just to those that are close to me and think like me but even more importantly to those that have hurt me or that I struggle to understand… because of God's gift of grace I need to pass that on to others, always.
I am type A plus and sometimes I take it personal when my husband is running late and it puts me in a snappy rude mood that is hard to let go. Or sometimes I take offense when ppl say something to me or assume something when I feel they should know me better than that. It’s really prideful and I need to give ppl grace. So pray for me please
Grace is the voice that calls us to change and gives us the power to pull it off. Powerful statement. I love this mornings devotion. Simply powerful. Ive been learning the importance of Grace and is convinced that my Father is working through me, glory to His name.
The book of Titus has also been revealing so much to me even though I read it before. I bless God for you all as you continue to keep ablaze the passion in me for the Word. God bless you all.
The right turn God wants me to take is to be bold, become more rigid and not let anything easily offend me. Im praying about it but would appreciate the help of you guys in help me praying. Thanks in advance and have a Gracefilled weekend.
Love Kimone
I'm curious as to how God wants you to become more rigid. If anything, God wants me to be less rigid. So, I can't imagine wanting to be more so. :-)
Praying for you, Kimone! God is teaching me, as well, about being stronger in my defense of Him and godliness!
Thank you EssieJean. Jessica its not as in to be more rough or harsh, but to be more grounded so as to not let any and everything in fact nothing offends me. He told us it us impossible for offence not to come hence we should be prepared. I need to know how to say how I feel immediately, forgive and forget and move on.
Ah how funny and (not) coincidental for this passage today. I have this thing where I sometimes don't think before speaking and it usually results into something horrible coming out of my mouth. Last night I said something very mean to a very close friend, partly because I was being truthful, partly because I was still hurt/angry at them. Timing and execution came out all horribly wrong. And they in turn got very hurt/angry at me and left the place immediately. And I felt absolutely horrible after I did it, sent them an apology but now have to wait to see if they will forgive me or if it will harm our relationship forever.
God's grace helped me to realize my mistake immediately after the fact and I'm praying that my friend will do so as well but there's a chance that may not happen. I do want to live with His spirit in me so it's good to know that we all do suffer mistakes and mishaps. I don't feel like I'm the worst person in the world anymore right now.
I love that the Greek for "instructs" carries with it the full meaning of training children, to correct, to discipline. GRACE does these things. By grace we are fully loved, accepted, saved, and by grace we are corrected, reproved, disciplined. As I think of the worldly desires and ugliness in my own life, I am so thankful God's grace covers it but also disciplines me into more righteous living. Lord, find in me a woman who is zealous after good deeds and worthy of being a people of your own possession.
Good morning, ladies!
Again, I have so many thoughts swirling around in my brain regarding today's verses that I'm not completely sure just yet how the thoughts relate, but I enjoy hashing these thoughts out here with you all!
First, I tend to forget that Scripture is first and foremost about the Triune God. I am to approach Scripture from a God perspective, not from a "what about me" perspective. Second, "the grace of God has appeared… training us…." (v. 11-12). The grace of God trains us! The fact that God has given us what we do not deserve is intended to train us "to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." As we are being trained, we are waiting, looking for, anticipating, the return of Christ, whose return gives us hope for the deliberate and self-controlled life we now live. Finally, Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us and to purify us so that we will be zealous for good works. Yesterday, I was struck by not participating in good works to look good, giving pomp and fanfare to just how much "I" am doing to contribute to society, thus proving to an unbelieving world that I really do believe in Jesus, and yes, He really does care about the bad things going on in the world, and "I'll prove it to you!" Today, as I continue on in this passage, it would seem that a dedication to good works also helps in the area of self-control. Let's face it… If I'm running an errand for a friend with a sick child, I'm not so concerned about what so-and-so over here is doing/not doing. If I'm buying groceries for a family who just lost their source of income, I'm not likely to be judging them for their poverty. In other words, being zealously dedicated to even the small ways of doing good works makes living a life of self-control and godliness, one not characterized by gossip and other worldly distractions much more possible to live out.
So as I read Scripture, even these lists of "to do's," I'm going to see how they point me to God. I'm going to remember that I'm still being trained to be godly, and yes, I'm going to fall back time and again into the worldly practices and attitudes that have characterized my human flesh. But I'm also going to realize that as I dedicate myself to doing good, the training is going to be much more profitable. Training begets a passion for doing good to those in need, and doing good to those in need furthers the training process. Thanks for letting me hash out these thoughts with you all, sisters! Have a supremely blessed Saturday!
Speaking to my heart again, sweet sister! "I am to approach Scripture from a God perspective, not from a 'what about me' perspective." So true, and a needed lesson in all of our lives!
Amen! I echo EssieJean's sentiments. It can be so hard to realize that the Word is not about us– but it is SO important! Once I change my perspective on it, it makes seeing His face, glorifying Him and being closer to Him (the whole point of my life) so much more easy! When we focus solely on ourselves when reading His word, how can we see the face of God?
I also loved what you said about how doing good works makes the training process so much more profitable. Just like the sanctification is for promises and promises are for sanctification, the training is for good works and the good works for training. Lord, help me to learn from you and to take the goodness of your gospel into all that I do! Praise you for that!! Be blessed, sister.
I agree with what you essentially said, that our good works can leave no room for judging, gossiping and complaining… hopefully with God's grace, this is true all the time and if not, that grace that God gives will stop and convict us and give us the power to change.
Dear sister, I am so looking forward to your comments in every day devotional because they add an extra food for thought and let me see the scripture in another angle. I am amazed how the Lord is using you as his tool to make it easier for newbies like me to understand his word! Thank you for the time you have taken to answer my doubts in the past devotional. I am a few days behind but This way I can read all the thoughts contributed by everyone here and this really is an amazing tool in my study. I really hope our Father keeps blessing you with this insight! Have a beautifully blessed day!
Good morning, Mukasha! I'm humbled and thankful that what I thought might be a lot of randomness, He organized for others who may have been thinking or wondering along the same lines I was when I read this passage. I so appreciate your encouragement. I pray you continue to grow in your faith and knowledge of God's Word, and that we both ultimately look to Him, praise Him, thank Him, wonder at Him, Who is the spiritual Eye-Opener of our hearts for what He shows us! Have a wonderful Tuesday! :)
Wonderful message to wake up to! Yesterday's and today's devotionals reminded me that as a Christian I am not suppose to just blend into the crowd. God shows us how he wants us to act, and even if doing so makes us "weird" to the world, we should follow Him not only in our hearts and minds but with our lives and actions. I am so thankful for God's grace!
In unrelated news, I'd appreciate prayers for healing and peace, I spent most of the night and today so far in pain from a pinched nerve in my neck that is making it very painful to do pretty much anything.
Prayers going up for you, Megan! Father, heal your daughter this morning. Give her a reprieve from the pain. Comfort her when there is none. In Jesus' Name.
Praying rest and relaxation for your neck and complete healing in Jesus name. Amen
Hope your saturday improves! x
Ouch! Praying for you now in the Name above all names!
Praying for you!
Wow, Megan, you and I took almost exactly the same lesson from this passage! Praying the Lord will give you reprieve and a peaceful weekend!
Megan, I'm praying for total and complete healing for you.
And Moses cried unto The Lord , Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.- Numbers 12:13
Megan, praying for you this morning! May the Lord grant you peace and comfort from this pain, and may you live out this day unto Him! Praise Him. Love you sister.
God’s grace is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility to be a student of God’s word so that our character can be shaped to become more like Christ……..Amen, Amen, Amen……
Thank you Lord for your Amazing Grace……I dare not think what my life would be without it…..Thank you for shaping me, for moulding me….for the innumerable chances….to get it right…….I'm feeling the need to dance right now……for I am in receipt of a gift that warms my heart….and leads me to be nearer my God to thee…..lead me Lord, in your ways, teach me, that my life will be an adornment to your beautiful gospel, your life, and a blessing to you….praising you Lord this thundering morning….with all that I am…Amen….
Off to a conference today, will be bolding you all up in prayer….God bless you all, abundantly whatever you do today….with love, always……xxx……Amen, Amen, Amen……
Have fun at the conference and have a wonderful day! I'll be praying along with you. <3
Tina, I love reading your posts. They are always insightful and your writing is so expressive and beautiful. God bless you. XO
Thank you so so much Sherri…..what a gift to end a great day….Thank you for the loving encouragement…. May God bless you abundantly….xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I too, love reading what you write, Tina. You are such a blessing to me. May God keep you and may His face shine upon you. Blessings sister!
Ah Brenda…..what a blessing to hear from you…..Thank you for your encouraging words…..I pray all is well with you, dear dear sister…..x xxx
Praise God for you, Tina. He molds and shapes us with His own hands… there is no formula or pre-made mold for this walk with Him. Lord, I pray you'd conform me, us, to YOUR image, using your grace and love to draw me in. Give me a heart that yearns for you; may you be glorified by the vessel you've created. May I, as Tina said, adorn your gospel, and may all look at your work and see that You reign because of it. In all things, Jesus, give me the conviction & devotion I need, and the GRACE to walk with You as You complete that good work you started in me. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Sorry hit the wrong bottom before …
My stubbornness make it hard to back down. I know I need to learn to be calmer so I don’t get into these arguments with my mum. I know now I need to do something about it immediately after reading this.
If only we could see our need for God’s grace in all situations. How different our lives would be. How different our relationships with each other and with those who don’t know Christ.
I read this verse Titus 2:11 NIV
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
And think how crucial God’s grace is to our salvation yet how we take it for granted. I know that in time I am slowly learning. Slowly becoming more reliant on God’s grace. What is changing? Prayer. I pray more and ask for more of Gods grace. I stop before I speak/act and pray.
As I pray Titus 2:12 NIV
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
God can change me from the inside out as we wait for Jesus to return. Such a strong gospel message that I really needed to be reminded of today. Thank you srt!
Amen Claire. How in need we are of His grace… we forget that moment when we asked Him into our hearts, so very aware of the need for Him in our lives… Lord, bring me back to that place of desperation, knowing that the words of that old hymn to be true: "Wash me, Saviour, or I die."
This reminds me… walking through some stores this week the Lord blessed me with this thought to ponder: as I looked around at everyone, no matter who they were, I kept realizing they needed grace just as much I do, and I need grace just as much as they do. Every man from the ghetto walking through Walmart, every new mom in a pretty outfit, every young girl and boy crying for food in the aisles; every girl my age at clothing stores, covered in beauty products and designer brands. Usually, these people seem very distant from me, and I tend to judge them in my own heart, sometimes subconsciously but sometimes consciously. Lord, forgive me… we all need you. We're all cut from the same cloth of sin and shame, covered in sin, and we need you to make us ALL whiter than snow. Thank you, Father. Keep us humble and hungry for your Word and your Grace. Be blessed, Claire.
Wow I had a rather large shouting, screening argument with my mum on Thursday night. I am one of those slightly stubborn people too which always makes situations like the one on Thursday
Praying that grace would humble the both of you and bring you to reconciliation! I know how fights are with my mom/parents, and like Debbie said, and silently, contritely repenting of that anger is so freeing and humbling. I pray for understanding and selflessness between the two of you as you both look to Christ (even if she doesn't know Christ, may she see Him through you). Be blessed.