Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 29, 2022
Read Titus 3:3-7
3 We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to our desires and various pleasures too. We were spending our lives in evil behavior and jealousy. We were disgusting, and we hated other people. 4 But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, 5 he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 which God poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our savior. 7 So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life.”
Good Morning, We are saved by God’s mercy!
Titus is a follower of Paul who worked to spread the Good News among the Gentiles. Paul is gently reminding Titus that God, who saved us despite our earthly ways, has promised us eternal life. Vs. 7so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
These words to Titus are applicable to each of us today. We live in an ever-growing secular world. We are exposed to the temptations of earthly pleasures daily. It is easy to be seduced. “I’ll just want to do this one time. What will it hurt?” That kind of thinking leads us to a very slippery slope from which the return is difficult.
We are called to lead others by our example to a life of Christ. Imagine yourself as a walking and talking billboard showing the way to eternal life. Have we really embraced all that vs. 7 tells us? Because we are justified by God’s grace, we can become God’s heirs and have eternal life.
This revelation should make us unable to contain our joy, but so many walk around keeping their gift a secret. Are we afraid to let others know that we are Christians? Are we just Christians when we are at church with other Christians? When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are called to action! Being a Christian is not a passive role. We are called to shout God’s praises from the mountaintop! Everyone we meet should see Christ in us! How? They will know we are Christians by our Love! Let God’s love flow through you by sharing His gift of love, grace, peace, and mercy.
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you're bound
I'll shout it from the mountaintop
I want my world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.
I’ll shout it from the mountaintop, praise God
I want my world to know.
The Lord of Love has come to me
I want to pass it on.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. You bless us in ways that we don’t deserve and can never have imagined. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God’s love for me is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Accept the Joy! Pastor Liz
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