Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

As we read through Titus 3 we recognize there is definitely a calling on our lives that becomes very evident once we invite Jesus into our hearts and truly decide to live for Him. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3, 1-3)

At one time we too were foolish, defiant, deceived and confined by our flesh. But when the compassion and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His grace and mercy. So, now as Christians we need to recognize our inheritance is no longer here. We need to learn to walk submissive and ready to do good, even when others are violent and unjust towards us. While it is a difficult lesson for us because violence and injustice stir up the heart, try to remember that the injustice others are doing is sin, and that we also were formerly its slaves. Remember, grace alone has saved us, and according to that grace we should also show that towards others.

I once heard a great quote that reminds me of the difference of our lives BC (before Christ) and now WC (With Christ)…
“If the Lord awakens the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.”
                                                          Author – Unknown


Be blessed and have a great day my friends,
Pastor Jason



Next Reading: Isaiah 4-5; Psalms 115; Jude

I Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2

"And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’  Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!”
But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”" 1st Kings 3:23 -27

As I read this passage I am reminded of how in life the challenges we confront can cloud our vision. What the mother of the dead child was going through surely had to be horrible for her to consider taking someone else's child, but just as the mother of the living baby showed true compassion for her child so does the Lord show compassion on us as His children. Remember last Sunday Pastor Rick was talking about the mental picture of a large projection screen playing back all of our sins of life for everyone to watch? Scary picture for all of us. (Smile) Thankfully the great thing is we aren't called to live life fixed on our past but instead we are to look forward to the harvest, realizing our names have already been written in the book of life. I encourage you all to look forward to the incredible journey God has for us, realizing his grace in your life and to look for opportunities to daily share your faith with others.

One last thing... Remember the wisdom we saw in King Solomon to solve the situation with the two mothers? Well, the word tells us we can also ask the Lord for His wisdom.



Be blessed today and lets live with an expectancy waiting to hear the Lord say, "Well done my good and faithful servant" some day.

Blessings,
Pastor Jason

Next Reading: I Kings 4,5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Th. 3

Judges 6,7; Psalm 52; I Corinthian 14

"Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy." I Cor. 14:1

Over and over again, in Paul’s writings, he takes us back to what is primary to successful Kingdom living—love! In this portion of scripture, one that deals with Spirit-filled living, Paul starts by establishing a plumb line and that is “let LOVE be your highest goal…” This reminds us of other portions the Apostle has penned regarding love. “If I could speak all the languages of the earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clashing cymbal.” (I Corinthians 13:1 NLT) “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:14 NASB) “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.” (I Corinthians 13:4) Paul continues to herald this pressing principle because he recognizes that LOVE is the central truth that holds the church together. Where there is love, there will be unity, cooperation, hope and teamwork. So much more is accomplished when we are working together in love. Paul goes on to instruct the Corinthians regarding love and spiritual abilities. He wants them to experience the power and joy of speaking in tongues but also that there are more benefits to the body of Christ when the gift of prophecy is exercised, again, all of these gifts operate most efficiently when rooted in love. Basically, he is saying, everything operates better when love is the highest goal. May this portion of scripture today encourage you to operate with love as your highest goal. I pray that God’s love fills you to overflowing and that you will operate in the spiritual gifts that are available to you through the promises in the Word of God.

In Him,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: Judges 8; Psalm 42; I Corinthians 15