Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Philemon 1:17-25.

 

“¹⁷ If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.  ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;  ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 

 

²⁰ Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord;  refresh my heart in Christ.

 

²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

 

²² At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.

 

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

 

²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”  Philemon 1:17-25.

                  

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If Philemon forgave Onesimus, then it would not only help Onesimus, it would also help Paul who was served by Onesimus.  And, if Paul was so helped, then Paul could also better help others.

 

On the other hand, if Philemon did not forgive Onesimus (but somehow punished Onesimus), then Onesimus would be hindered from being as useful and helpful to Paul as he could be.  And, Paul would not have that resource of Onesimus to better help others.

                         

But, Paul had confidence in Philemon.  “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.  (Verse 21)  …  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  (Verse 25)”.

                            

Thus, there is more to today’s Scripture than the duty to forgive based on the statement of accounts in verses 18 and 19 and as illustrated in Jesus’ parable illustrated in Matthew 18:23-35 of the king who was owed ten thousand talents by one who did not forgive a fellow slave who only owed him a few hundred denarii.  There is the hope that as Philemon’s forgiveness also helped Paul, our forgiveness (of those who offend us) may help others who are served by the offenders.     

God may not only give us the grace to forgive, but there is the hope that God’s grace may use our forgiveness to abound in blessings to others beyond just the offender.        

Consider Jesus Christ.  Jesus forgave us of our sins, and His forgiveness abounded into eternal life and righteousness for many.  

“But the free gift is not like the transgression.  For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.  The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned;  for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:15-17.

Today’s devotion comes from Philemon 1:8-16.

 

“Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

 

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.  I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;  but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.  For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”  Philemon 1:8-16.

 

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Paul’s appeal is gentle and humble.  “I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus”.  “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you … but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will”.

Likewise, we see the gentleness and humility of Paul’s writing to the Corinthians about a topic that normally would be much more forceful and bold.  Paul said:  “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

We are reminded of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

On this Labor Day, when we might be tempted to think we should be forceful and proud to get what we want, let us meditate on being gentle and humble.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5:22-26.

Today’s devotion comes from Philemon 1:1-7.

 

“¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

 

To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, ² and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:  ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

⁴ I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;  ⁶ and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.  ⁷ For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”  Philemon 1:1-7.

                                  

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There is a Beatles’ song “All You Need is Love”.  Like many songs, the music is great, but the lyrics are poor.  Well, at least, the title is not true.  But, unfortunately, “All You Need is Love” is what many people think due to “pop” influences.  We are not going to fellowship or love more as we should by looking within us and “just doing it” nor love better by just trying harder.

                         

Today’s Scripture teaches us that “knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake” is a key to effective love and fellowship of our faith.  The key is not the love within our good nature.  The key is our knowledge of God’s love for us and every good thing which is in us for Christ’s sake.   

                          

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;  because as He is, so also are we in this world.  There is no fear in love;  but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:16-19.    

                               

In the following Scripture, we read that Paul struggled greatly and prayed hard and on his knees that his disciples would grow in knowledge.  If it is as simple as “All you need is love”, why would Paul labor so hard to teach?!      

                             

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:1-3.

                           

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:9-11.    

                                    

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;  and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

                         

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:14-21.

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 3:9-15.

 

“⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.  ¹⁰ Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

 

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.  ¹³ Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.  ¹⁴ Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

 

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you.  Greet those who love us in the faith.

 

Grace be with you all.”  Titus 3:9-15.

                              

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There is a sharp contrast between the foolish and factious (verses 9-11) and the faithful and fruitful (verses 12-15).

The foolish and factious create strife.  The faithful and fruitful create good deeds.

The foolish and factious are concerned about their own perverted speculations.  The faithful and fruitful are concerned about others’ pressing needs.

The foolish and factious are condemned.  The faithful and fruitful are commended.

The foolish and factious are rejected.  The faithful and fruitful are greeted.

“The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.”  Proverbs 10:31-32.

“He who troubles his own house will inherit wind,
And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.”  Proverbs 11:29-30.

“The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”  Proverbs 14:1.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.”  Proverbs 15:1-2.

“Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.”  Proverbs 15:21.

“He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.”  Proverbs 17:20.

“A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.”  Proverbs 18:2.

“A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.”  Proverbs 18:6-7.

“He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.”  Proverbs 22:9-10.

“An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.”  Proverbs 28:25-28.

“The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.
Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away anger.”  Proverbs 29:7-8.

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 3:1-8.

 

“¹ Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, ² to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.  ³ For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.  ⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  ⁸ This is a trustworthy statement;  and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds.  These things are good and profitable for men.”  Titus 3:1-8.

 

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God is good.  “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Verses 4-6.

 

God is good, not just because we were good.  “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”  Verse 3.  “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.     

 

God, therefore, provides a good example for us that we too should be good to others even though they may be bad to us.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;  for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48.

 

God does good work in creating us for good works.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

 

Therefore, be consistent with Who God is, His example, and who you are in Christ Jesus, and be careful to engage in good deeds.  “.. I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds.  These things are good and profitable for men.”  Verse 8.  We should “be ready for every good deed”.  Verse 1.

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 2:9-15.

 

“⁹ Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

 

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

 

¹⁵ These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”  Titus 2:9-15.

                           

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Notice what the grace of God does.  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope…”  Verses 11, 12, and 13. 

                   

First, we first note that the grace of God brings salvation to all of His elect.  This is not a “common grace”.  From Scripture, we clearly know that God does not bring salvation to literally every human being that ever lived.  The term “all men” here refers to all of God’s elect.  Although God does give good gifts, such as sunshine and rain to sprout food, to all men (Elect and non-elect), God does not give the good gifts with a grace or favor to the non-elect.  God only gives grace to His elect, and God not only gives earthly good gifts with a grace or favor to His elect, God most importantly brings eternal salvation to all of His elect through His irresistible grace.  For more on “common grace”, here is a link – Click here: Pamphlets and Articles

                          

Second, we note that the grace of God instructs us on how to live.  This is also part of irresistible grace.  Therefore, we do not need to cower as we have cowered in front of the Law.  “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:5-6.  “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.   I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comesthrough the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:20-21. 

                         

Third, God’s irresistible grace gives us hope.  And, this hope is not only the hope of eternal life, this hope is that God’s irresistible grace causes us to live “sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (verse 11), that God makes us “zealous for good deeds” (verse 14), and that God comforts, strengthens, and leads us into “every good work and word” (see following Scripture).  

 

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

              

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 2:1-8.

 

“¹  But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.  ² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

 

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

 

⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;  ⁷ in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”  Titus 2:1-8.

 

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Purity in doctrine is not an excuse for us to be weird.  We must be sound in doctrine and be sensible and good.

We are not to be “nutty professors” of theology.  Possessing the right doctrine is not an excuse for us to be eccentric and offensive.  We should not be “hot and cold”.  Rather, we should be “temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance”.  Verse 2.

Good practical behavior is emphasized in today’s Scripture.  We are to love our family and be workers at home.  We are to be kind and teach what is good.  We should not be “malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine”.  Verses 3 and 4. 

In one sense, there does not need to be a balance in the sense that there is opposing forces between being sound in doctrine and being sensible and good that need to be balanced.  They are not opposing forces.  Being truly sound in doctrine will show itself to be sensible and good.  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:17-18. 

In another sense, there does need to be balance in the sense that there is only so much we can do.  We don’t have time to do everything, but we should prioritize and try to do as much as we can.  As a metaphor, we don’t rest on our natural beauty (doctrine).  We also try to be as attractive as we can be in additional different ways.  We are well-groomed.  We are well-dressed.  We have good manners.  But, so to speak, we don’t spend the whole day in the beauty parlor.  We don’t spend the whole day reading the Bible.  We also do a good job at the office.  We also take good care of our family at home.  We also do good deeds.  

In summary, “in all things”, we are sound and sensible:  “so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (verse 5) and “so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (verse 8). 

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 1:10-16.

 

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.  One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “ Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”  This testimony is true.  For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.   To the pure, all things are pure;  but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.  They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”  Titus 1:10-16.

 

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We live in an day and age of tolerance.  But, there is no tolerance in today’s Scripture.  “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teachfor the sake of sordid gain.”  Verses 10 and 11.

 

We need strong elders “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  Titus 1:9.

 

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers … (who) profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”  Verses 10 and 16. 

 

The church needs to be protected from them.  These rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers do not deserve protection by attitudes and policies of tolerance, “because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”  Verse 11.

 

“And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  …  Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Matthew 16:6 and 12.

 

Let us remember Paul’s charge in the last chapter.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:1-5. 

 

May we be found faithful.  “‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;  and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.”  Revelations 2:2-3. 

 

 

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 1:5-9.

 

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.  For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  Titus 1:5-9.

 

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It is humbling to read these qualifications to be an elder.  There are so many qualifications in the category of what an elder should not be, and there are so many qualifications in the category of what an elder should be.  And, each qualification is tough to fulfill.  

 

But, there is hope!  God will provide.  

 

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7. 

 

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:11-13. 

 

Therefore, let us be diligent to employ those gifts in serving one another.  “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  1 Peter 4:10.        

 

As one example, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.   

 

As another example, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”  1 Peter 4:9.     

 

As a final example, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;  whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies;  so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 4:11.

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 1:1-4.

 

“Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

 

To Titus, my true child in a common faith:  Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”  Titus 1:1-4. 

 

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We know some of the things that Paul did.

What have we done “for the faith of those chosen of God”?

What have we done for their “knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness”?

What have we done “in the hope of eternal life”?

Hopefully, these questions turn us to God and that we seek to discover our spiritual gifts and to discover what work God is doing in our own lives for these things.  

Hopefully, we then kindle afresh the gifts of God within us and walk in the good works that God prepared for us to do “for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life”.    

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,”  2 Timothy 1:6-9.

Like Paul, we do and “endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen”.

 

In conclusion, may this following blessing at the conclusion of today’s Scripture, like all blessings, cause us as needy children to raise our arms and open our hands to receive God’s blessings for our own sakes and for the sakes of those “chosen of God” to whom we minister.

                               

To all true children in a common faith:  “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”