My Walk With Him: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Monday, January 20, 2025

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

Today, I pause my study of Zechariah as I begin preparation for leading worship at The Gardens and The Lodge this upcoming Sunday as part of a ministry outreach of my church Bay Leaf Baptist. Since the start of the new year, worship for this ministry is based on Tony Evans' booklet The Grace of God, and for this week specifically, we are using chapter 4 Set Free by Grace. The primary text upon which the chapter is based is Titus 2:11-14. As a starting point, my recent studies in Zechariah emphasize the need to study grace as in Zechariah 7:4-7 (see post here and post on day previous), God challenges His people to avoid legalism, and instead focus on a relationship with Him based on love of God first and foremost and then love of others that flows from a love of God a desire to please Him - and of course God wants us to love others and to be a light. The booklet describes how grace was always present in the Old Testament but it lurked in the shadows as a foretaste of things to come. It highlights John 1 where Jesus is described as the incarnate Son of God appearing as flesh and as grace and truth (John 1:17). Titus 2 shares how this appearing of grace makes salvation available to all, how it trains us, equips us to live God loving and fearing obedient lives for Him as our hope in the second coming of Christ. It not only redeems us but it purifies us to zealous for good works. This is God and His grace at work. Submit to Him, and allow Him to do a work in and through You!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - thank You for coming as the incarnate Son of God and for Your grace so that I could be saved and purified. I am not deserving of such grace. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.