What Is Truth?
Father, I’ve let too many things distract me this morning but I am here and I am ready! Help me to focus and to listen to what You have to say.
Titus 2:8 (<<click here)
“Teach the truth…”
The New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible says, “This quality of integrity comes from careful Bible Study and listening before speaking.”
Quoting a key character in the latter days of Your life here on earth, Lord, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)
Lord, “truth” is surely a divisive concept. Some of us run from it! Some run to it. Many have spent lifetimes in trying to disprove and/or prove it. The reality, whether we choose to believe or not is proclaimed in Your Word as recorded in John 14:6. You yourself said, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.”
So when we “teach the truth…” we are teaching of You. When we answer the question “What is truth?” the answer is You.
Lord, as I strive to “teach the truth” from the pulpit and in my daily life I truly must immerse myself in reading and studying Your Word – the Bible – and I must spend quality time with You so I may be so accustomed to Your voice that I will hear You speak before I do. Help me to perceive the world as You do so that I may impact it for You.
Jan 26th, Tues, 6:40 am
Open Lives
Thank You, Father, for the encouragement to refocus. Our time together is too crucial for me to be hit and miss about it. I pray that all of my days will be impacted by the time we spend alone together each morning.
Titus 2:3-5 (<<click here)
Every one of us, Lord, has a responsibility – each of us must be attentive to receiving and /or giving examples of godly living.
Growing up I don’t know if I deliberately examined and followed the guidance and direction of the godly men and women who crossed my path. As I got older, I may have done so but I would say that overall I learned less from what I was told that I should do or not do and way more by the way they lived their lives out before me. Many people from a great cross-section of life impacted me – parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, Sunday School teachers, church leaders, youth workers – and the list goes on. So many dear people fleshed out what it meant to be a follower of Christ in the ebb and flow of life.
And even today I still learn but now more and more, I am on the teaching side of things – and this goes way beyond my time behind the pulpit. How I interact with the people in my churches on a personal level and how I work with my leadership teams making decisions for the churches. But I also find myself purposely saying and doing things that will convey my commitment to Christ in my work at Kohl’s. Each day I interact with associates and customers – some who I know well, others who I will never see again – and I am responsible to live before them all a godly life – one of integrity and compassion – a life that shows one and all Whom I belong to and Whom I follow. Lord, help me to conscientiously follow Your lead – to boldly live my life, to be transparent, to love others as You love me.
Jan 24th, Sun, 6:32 am
Consistent Practice
In the quiet of this morning hour, Father, may I hear You speak to me. May Your words resonate with my soul and may they be branded upon my heart to carry with me for the rest of my life.
Titus 2:1-2 (<<click here)
Lord, I may be leaning a bit more into the “older men” category of which Paul speaks but these are all traits that everyone should be emulating, “self-control…worthy of respect…live wisely…sound faith…filled with love and patience.” v2
As my study Bible* alludes to this “whole teaching” leads us to combine “correct knowledge and understanding with consistent practice.” Your Word, Lord, should be our source of “correct knowledge” and time spent with You in contemplating Your Word will bring “understanding.” Consistently practicing doing these things will greatly impact us and the world around us.
Why are we so reluctant to invest energy and effort into reading our Bibles and talking with You, Lord? I realize that some things in life cannot be avoided – work, family, home, etc. but all of us have a certain amount of time to do with as we wish. And we fill that time with all kinds of things – some more honorable than others. If we want a relationship to grow, we invest in it. If we want our relationship with You to grow it is no different. When we do so the results are innumerable! Our lives are changed for the better – they’re literally impacted eternally! AND we impact others! Paul’s list of characteristics for “older men” are things that can bear a wonderfully positive influence on others both in this life and in our lives beyond this time on earth!
Lord, continue to draw me to Your side – more and more may it become a passion of mine!
Jan 23rd, Sat, 7:18 am
*New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible
Spot On
Day 2 of a new year, Father! Thank You for being with me when I was sick in the middle of the night. Thank You also for calling me into Your presence this morning. Please bless our time together. Help me to hear what You have to say.
Titus 1:10-16 (<<click here)
Lord, as this passage reminds me there are many individuals out there in our world who feel compelled to proclaim the “truth.” Some are spot on…others not so much…and others still are at the polar opposite of what truth is to be. First, I would pray that You would help me to be in the “spot on” group – may I never wander outside the boundaries of Your truth.
Next, I would pray for those who are lured to believe those in the “not so much” category. I interact regularly with people who fill their minds with the teachings of individuals whose speak a “blend” of the truth, if You will. Some may be “spot on” at the core of their teachings but liberally interject thoughts of their own. Others have just enough “truth” to give the air of legitimacy but are in it for what they can get out of it – power, wealth, etc.
Lord, may Your light shine brightly on what is proclaimed. May words and thought processes be shown for what they truly are. If it be true, may it shine all the brighter. If it be falsehood may it become distasteful and cast aside. Use me to proclaim Your truth and to be brave in exposing lies – and may I do so in Your mindset of tough love.
Jan 22nd, Fri, 6:39 am
Built on Rock
Today is the beginning of a new year (For me at least!) So Father, I would ask for Your help in making this a year in which we grow closer together. I realize that You are putting forth Your all. I would ask that You would enable me to give You every part of everyday – guide me. Help me to listen and act according to Your will. There is no better way!
Titus 1:9 (<<click here)
Lord, I am so grateful for the solid foundations that You have given me to build my life upon. You of course, are the rock upon which everything else is built. Because of the wonderful gift of salvation, You have extended, I am who I am today – praise Your holy name!
I have every reason to have “a strong belief in the trustworthy message”– that is the Good News of the forgiveness of sins because of Your sacrifice.
As I continue to prepare for the awesome responsibility of leading Your children, please guide my thoughts, fill my heart with Your love and continue to draw me deeper into fellowship with You. May I be the encourager that I need to be and may I show those who don’t believe in You the error of their ways in a loving manner. Enable me to be like You when I interact with those around me wherever I may be.
Jan 21st, Thurs, 7:02 am