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?
____________________
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.
excellent put up, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
“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.