April 25: Titus 1 1-4
Key Verse: Titus 1 1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness -
Devotion:
Wow, what a great start to a letter! When was the last time you received a communication which was so encouraging and full of hope? I know I am very definitely not anything like that in my communications with others, but I certainly am going to give it a go! My thinking is that the more I stop n think about the beginning of any communication, the better it will be. So many times I have sent out something which seem to be so crass when I read I back later wondering why the person has not responded in kind – well, just maybe the d not want to respond to my ramblings!
The first thing Paul lets go with is the knowledge he is an apostle who is called to further the faith of God’s elect. What does this actually mean? He was called to encourage other people in their walk of faith! He was not called to stand and talk at people, but to communicate with people and encourage them to not just listen but to be active in their walk with God. We are not called to simply teach people about God but to encourage them to expand their own relationships with God.
God is the one who has promised us eternal life in Heaven to all who are willing to believe it so. He gave this promise long before we were born and continues to keep that promise generation after generation. We are just messengers who need to keep telling others of all of God’s great promises to us, showing others they too have the hope we have and can enjoy eternal life with Christ at the appointed time. It should not worry us we do not know when, but simply believing it to be true!
This faith is common to every person on earth! Every one of us has the choice to believe God and His promises. Every one of us has the choice accepting this common hope and having faith we will all be in Heaven together – no matter what we have done in the past!
Points to Ponder:
Do you like encouraging people?
Who are you going to call today to offer hope?
