Monday, March 4, 2013

THEY'RE WATCHING

THEY'RE WATCHING

READ:
Titus 3:1-8

Speak evil of no one...be
peaceable, gentle, showing
all humility to all men.
-Titus 3:2

It's been several decades since a high school event devastated me.  Playing sports was hugely important to me.  I zeroed in on basketball and spent hundreds of hours practicing my game.  So when I didn't make the varsity team in my last year after being on the team since junior high, I was crushed.

Disappointed and confused, I carried on.  I became a stats guy for the team, going to games and keeping track of my friends' rebounds and shots as they got within one game of the state championship without me.  To be honest, I never thought of how they were viewing my response.  I just muddled through.  That's why I was surprised recently to hear that several of my classmates told my brother that they saw in my response a lesson in Christianity-a picture of Christ.  My point is not to tell you to do as I did, because I'm not sure what I did.  My point is this:  Whether we know it or not, people are watching us.

In Titus 3:1-8, Paul explains the life God enables us to live-a life of respect, obedience, and kindness that results from being reborn through Jesus and renewed by the Holy Spirit who has been poured out on us.

As we live a Spirit-guided life, God will show the reality of His presence to others through us. -Dave Branon

Dear Father, You know how inadequate I am.
Please equip me through the Spirit to show love
and respect in my life so that others will see
through me and see You.
****************************************
A Christian is a living sermon whether or not
he preaches a word.

INSIGHT
Titus, the recipient of this letter, was a young pastor being mentored by Paul.  As the apostle wrote to this young servant of Christ, he sought to help him work his way through the challenges of ministry.  Titus was involved in ministry on the island of Crete, and though he faced specific challenges in bringing the gospel to that people, Paul affirmed that the message of the gospel would bear fruit.  It is not by personal effort or religious accomplishment but by the mercy of God we are saved (Titus 1:5).

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace


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