Tag Archives: Titus

“At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment” (Proverbs 7:6–7).

Most young people yearn for someone to invest time and wisdom into them. They know deep in their hearts they need help to handle heartaches. Their naïve knowledge has yet to graduate them from the school of hard knocks; so they need loving and wise instruction. Who in your circle of influence is a candidate for your caring attention? 

It may be a son or daughter, a colleague at work, or a friend from church. God places people in our lives for a purpose. Perhaps you prayerfully pursue a mentor relationship with a teachable young person. He or she can learn from your mistakes as much or more than from your wise choices.

Mentors are not perfect, just wiser from failure and humbled by success. Look around and ask the Lord to lead you to a young person who may be edging toward the wrong direction. Reach out to that young person. By doing so, you will have returned the favor to someone who loved you.

Indeed, mentors take time for others because they are eternally grateful for those who took time for them. Gratitude to God is a great reason to go the extra mile with someone younger. Read books together, maybe a book a month for a year. Meet over coffee to discuss how the book challenged your thinking and changed your behavior for the better.

A young leader can preclude problems when she is able to model the wise habits of her mentor. Always invite an older adult into your life who can educate you in the ways of God. Moreover, the mentor process is valuable to both parties. It provides accountability, encouragement, love, and obedience to Christ’s commands. Mentor young people so they follow the right path, and in turn help someone else do the same.

The Bible says, “Encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible” (Titus 2:4, 6 nasb).

Prayer: Who is the young person in my life to whom the Lord is leading me to invest time, wisdom, and resources?

Related Readings: Job 32:6; Psalm 119:9; Matthew 28:20; Titus 2:1–8

Post/Tweet: Mentors are not perfect, just wiser from failure and humbled by success. #mentor

© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

“The fruit of the Spirit is self-control…” Galatians 5:23

Self-control is the temperate fruit that blossoms on the vine of the Spirit. It uses the gasoline of grace to govern the engine of a disciple’s activity. Proper self-control is Spirit control, since the flesh can be determined and disciplined without the horsepower of the Holy Spirit. Spirit-led self-control bows to no ego—it only surrenders to Christ. It is free from the desires and whims of the flesh. The body is a good servant, but a poor master. 

The fruit of self-control breaks unholy habits and replaces them with holy habits. It is so much more than just having a disciplined temperament—it is a mindset that is mastered by Christ’s preferences. We can’t confuse self-reliance with the Spirit’s self-control. Self- control relies on the Spirit’s energy and insight to accomplish God’s will. It is the difference between gutting out a bad circumstance without Christ or walking with Christ.

“As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Acts 24:25

We don’t wait to embrace self-control when it becomes convenient—fools flounder in the meantime. Thus, start immediately and initiate self-control in your sexual thoughts and desires. Install boundaries around what you read and watch. An unbridled body is disrespected and discarded. Furthermore, control your conversations, so they do not become caustic and uncaring. Remain silent, rather that spew unkindness on another.

Control your desires or they will control you. For example, control your weight by eating smaller portions of food. Control your sleep by going to bed earlier and rising earlier. Control your work by turning off your computer in the evenings. Control your rest by resting on Sundays. Control your time by managing a calendar. Control your money by managing a budget. When Christ controls you—you are capable of controlling your life. Self-control is the Spirit’s work, but your cooperation is required. Ultimately, God is in control.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I surrender to Your control, so that I can apply self-control.

Related Scriptures: Job 37:15; 1 Corinthians 7:9; 9:25-27; 2 Peter 1:6; Titus 2:5

Post/Tweet this today: When Christ controls you—you are capable of controlling your life. #control

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“The fruit of the Spirit is kindness...” Galatians 5:22a

For the Christian kindness comes from the Holy Spirit’s inner work of compassion that expresses itself in outward deeds. Random acts of kindness are divine encounters wrought to illustrate the kindness of God. Kindness is more than being nice; it is discerning another’s point of pain, and with Spirit led sensitivity, brings them relief. A kind action may come in the form of a gift, a word of wisdom, a verbal prayer, an introduction or an affirmation.

Because of God’s great kindness He gave His son Jesus to save sinners and to grow saints. And for all who believe, He grants a seat to sit at His table as an adopted child of God. Yes, we are sons and daughters of the most High! What a privilege to have access to our heavenly Father’s vast resources of grace, wisdom, love, forgiveness and holiness. His kindness leads us to repentance, guides us in character growth and graduates us to heaven.

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5

Have you been wronged? If so, consider an act of kindness in response. Extend gentleness in the face of harshness. Give authentic affirmation to someone weighted down by disappointment. Ask how your server is doing and leave them a generous gratuity. Validate your friend’s feelings without prescribing solutions. Open your home to those who need a safe and secure environment. Kindness comes from feeling accepted. Not everyone will affirm your kindness; some will use you—so react kindly to the unkind.

Be kind to your spouse who may be in the middle of an emotional melt down. Be kind to your child who made a foolish decision. Be kind to those whose political views are opposite of yours. Be kind to a work associate who is not pulling his or her weight. Be kind to the unkind, the handicapped, the elderly, the uneducated and the immigrant. Kindness heals and gives hope. Most of all, your kindness is an invitation to the kindness of God!

“The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” 2 Samuel 9:3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your loving kindness toward me and use the Spirit’s kindness in my heart to bring people to You.

Related Scriptures: Ezra 9:9; Hosea 11:3-4; Acts 4:9; 28:2; Romans 2:4; 11:22

Post/Tweet this today:  Kindness validates a friend’s feelings without prescribing solutions. #kindness #feelings

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