KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Chapters: Book of Titus
Message: Following The Pattern Of Christ
Hello My Friend,
Weary; Having the patience exhausted, or the mind yielding to discouragement. The past couple of months have been rather weary for me from starting a new job, to quitting one, to a quick, but unforgettable and heart touching relationship that ended just as fast as it began. There truly is meaning to the phrase, “No rest for the weary.” Yes, we get discouraged, especially when when are trying to do everything God wants us to do and things seem to get worse instead of better. I am always cautious when so many good things start happening at one time because I know something bad is going to happen, and when it does it seems to come down like an avalanche. You know, God knows what we are going through, He knows our abilities, and what we are capable of, sometimes we push ourselves over the limit because we are merely trying to find joy in our flesh. Can I tell you that joy never lasts when we aim to please the flesh, but it does when we aim to please the spirit. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41.
Quite often the reason we become so weary in the flesh is because we are not happy in our flesh. I will tell you that for years I prayed for God to send me a husband. Well, I found someone but discovered he was not at all who he said he was. And while I still believe God did bring us together, He knew that this man was not going to follow through and therefore took him out of my life. You see, God has standards for us, and only the very best will do. We know very little of Titus, he was a Greek convert, and although he was never mentioned in the Book of Acts, was one of Paul’s most trusted friends and disciples. Paul sent Titus to correct problems within the churches in Crete, instructing him on the standards in God had for the pastors and elders of the church.
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” – Titus 1:5-9,15-16.
“They profess that they know God;” The first question I ask any guy when I meet him is “Are you saved?” I often get a response that they are and proceed to get to know him better. It does not take long before I notice whether or not they are living their lives for Christ. It is not for us to judge whether or not someone is saved, but the majority of the time their works call them out, sometimes even in how they speak. Since we are a pattern of Christ, the things we do and say ought to reflect that, we are not perfect by a long shot, and we do all grow at different paces, but our lives ought to be changing to God’s standards. Paul stresses the importance of all members of the church not only knowing the Word of God, but following His pattern of good works.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:7-14.
“that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Everything we do ought to be a pattern of the Word of God in us. I was literally told by someone that this is the twenty-first century and people do not follow the Bible no more. This kind of thinking is why living in the flesh makes us weary, it always lusts for things that never bring true joy. When we walk with Christ and follow His pattern we will see that true joy comes from Him, yes, He will bless us with the things we desire, but we must first trust Him. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” – Mark 11:23-24.
Do you know why the majority of people who are “saved” do not follow Christ beyond that? They have no hope in Him. They see “Christians” living worldlier lives than they are and wonder why follow the pattern of Christ when they are not. The truth is this, many who claim to be saved are not, they are only pretending to know who Christ is, and are actually making a mockery of what Christianity is all about. This is why it is so important that we who do love and follow Christ, live a Godly life, proving that a life truly can be changed and blessed when Christ is Lord in it. It is not about following commands, it is about having respect for what Jesus did for you and honoring Him by living you life through His example.
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:1-7.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,” Yes, many of us were just like them, even those who grow up in the church have their demons, but our good works, following the pattern of Christ, is not for our salvation, Jesus took care of that for us, it is for those of the world to see the true Jesus. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” – Titus 3:8-11.
“These things are good and profitable unto men.” It is by the grace of God that we are not punished for all the things we have done in our flesh. But grace is more than that, it is the favor of God, His commitment to us for believing in His Son, and accepting Him, His assurance of eternal life, and His promise to be there for us through the good and bad times. Following the pattern of Christ not only brings rest to the weary, it also brings peace with God and salvation to others as they see Him through us. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:7-10.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” – Titus 3:5.
Today’s Prayer: God, I admit that I have become weary because I try to do so much in an attempt to find joy in my flesh. I know that no permanent joy comes when we seek only to please the flesh, I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, mercy, and grace to live my life as a pattern of Your Son, let me not become weary in well doing and only seek the things that feed my spirit not my flesh. I know that as long a I abide with Your Son that You will bless me and the my joy will come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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