Today’s Scripture: Titus 1:2, NKJV- “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,”
Before I began this journey eighteen years ago, I knew about God, but I did not know Him. I began my affirmations of God journey in hopes of replacing my failed character traits with the character of God.
The more I have come to know God and His character the more my heart and mind has turned towards gratitude of who He is. The more I read His commands the more I realize it is all about Him. Were you aware that God promised us eternal life before time began? I was not. In Titus 1:2 Paul stated, “This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.” (NLT)
I am thankful for God and the words of Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (NIV) We must choose God’s ways over ungodly and worldly ways. My prayer with affirmations of God was that I would live out Titus 2:12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
I had not been sober from alcohol for very long and I was committed to denying my ungodliness and worldly lusts. I desired, more than anything else, to live Godly. Today I was reading the first lesson in a new recovery program for me entitled “re: generation” and I just realized how their first scripture reference Titus 3:3-7 describes me; “foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved me, not because of any righteous things I had done, but because of His mercy. He saved me through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on me generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, I have become an heir to the hope of eternal life.” (Paraphrased and personalized)
What is really crazy is all of a sudden I recalled that scribbled inside of the front cover of my first composition book of “Bible Affirmations” that I started on January 9th, 2008 is the scripture Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” (NKJV)
Naively, I found myself wondering a few years ago if I would run out of new affirmations. Instead, God surprises me every day. As I read today’s scriptures, I could not believe that in the twenty-nine thousand affirmations I have captured to date that I had never turned and said, “Thank You God for promising us eternal life.” Nor “Thank You Jesus for giving Yourself for me.” As we are told in Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (NKJV)
What I could not have conceived over 18 years ago when the Holy Spirit said to me “Tom, every affirmation you will ever need is found in My Word, is how grateful and joyful I could become. Now I know that God’s word to us is eternal and a never-ending source of promise.
Titus 3:14 says we must learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good so that we meet the pressing needs of others and live fruitful lives. When we seek God, He is faithful to meet us where we are and then place us in just the right places to help others. What are you devoted to?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for eternal life. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who gave Himself for me. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that You have so generously given to me. Place me wherever You will so that I may meet the needs of others and live a fruitful life. In the name of Jesus, I am praying. Amen.
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