2 Tim. 2-4; Titus 1, 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

To Titus Paul encouraged looking forward to the glorious appearing of Christ Jesus. He called it our “Blessed Hope.” (I think if I was to start a church today, I’d call it Blessed Hope)

We just finished watching the Olympics on TV. I love the track and field events where they all have the goal of crossing the finish line. I especially love the marathon where they have just run over 26 miles. It is so motivational to watch contestants cross that line.

Christ’s coming is in a certain sense our finish line for this life. THEN, we begin a new life that will last for eternity. It will be a blessed life and we will live it with Christ Himself. Keep running the race. We are nearer than when we first began.

2 Tim. 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul commands, “Cleanse yourselves, and you will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

It takes work to keep yourselves clean. I’m not just talking about soap and showers. I’m talking about body, soul, AND spirit.

When I grab a glass to get a drink of water, I don’t want one that has lipstick on the rim, or gunk around the base, or greasy fingerprint smidges. Yuk!

Give God a clean vessel to use. Keep yourselves pure.

2 Tim. 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

We are foolish if we think we are living the Christian life by the power of our own will. Generally, our will gets us in trouble. It’s not by our might nor our power but by God’s Spirit manifested in our loves by HIS GRACE.

I like Phil. 2:13 for the best definition of grace.  For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Grace is a free gift from God. None of us deserve it. We really deserve to have died in our sins. Thank God for His marvelous gift of grace and the cleansing of our sin by His PRECIOUS BLOOD!

1 Tim. 6; 2 Tim. 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

I can relate when Paul says he constantly remembers Timothy in his prayers. Those we love, we in effect carry them with us in prayer while we are awake. Whenever they are hurting or in need, we feel it with them.

Our prayers keep an open channel of God’s power and help flowing to them. Our prayers put them on God’s mind also. Think of your prayers being a water spigot. When you prayer, water is running out and bringing life and cleansing. When you stop, you are closing the spigot. [Is. 44:3]

1 Tim. 4, 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Today’s devotion is not the normal. Paul instructed Timothy that widows in the church, in a sense, should demonstrate their heart of service (v. 10) by even washing feet. Foot care is no less important today than it was in Bible times.

Traditionally, foot washing today is a ritual that shows humility and is a remembrance of how Christ washed His Disciples’ feet. It’s a good activity for New Years Eve Watchnight services. (What ever happened to them?)

A couple of weeks ago, I had a pedicure. When the lady saw how big and ugly my feet were, she almost ran out the back door. Seriously, it was a great experience. I recommend it.

Somebody VERY CLOSE to me gets (her) feet rubbed everyday. She loves it. (I think it’s the key to her success)

It’s all about foot care. Feet work very hard.

1 Thess. 1-5; 2 Thess. 1-3; 1 Timothy 1-3 ]NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul advocated thoroughly vetting prospective leaders in the early church. He held Timothy responsible to make s ure prospective leaders conformed to requirements as clarified in chapter three. These standards applied to elders and deacons who would serve the saints of God in local churches. Since the Lord’s reputation is at stake in the conduct of leaders, it’s wise for churches to observe these standards.

1 Thess. 4 [NIV Dramatized Audio

THIS is what we have to look forward to:

 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thess. 2,3 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

A testimony;

Patty strongly urged me to go up and be prayed for this last Sunday morning at the end of the service. Great service! Pastor Mark anointed me and and prayed for my healing. The very next morning I had my 14th bone marrow biopsy performed ($13k) at Northside Hospital. That afternoon I had my yearly wellness check with Dr. Railey. Great doctor! He said I looked the best he’s seen for some time. Anyway, I am feeling BETTER and trusting to keep improving.

I will be 76 on August 31st. I enjoy my life and live to pray and serve my family and others. As long as I’m HERE, I will be posting this devotion every morning and lifting you up in prayer.

If you have prayer needs, contact me. dean.paul.demos@gmail.com 404-392-3384

You pray for me. I’ll pray for you. That’s how it SHOULD BE!

1 Thessalonians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul says Christ Jesus will have saved us from “the coming wrath.” We read about the end in other passages in God’s Word, but we know that the fate and doom of those who reject Christ will not be pretty.

Hence, we don’t live in fear but in hope. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord (we know the terror of what’s coming) , we persuade men. [2 Cor. 5:11]

Col. 1-3 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Forgiving others is a mark of spiritual maturity and reflects God’s love in action. Who do YOU need to forgive?

Those of us who are married probably have the most occasion to forgive our spouse. It would be so easy yet so destructive to keep tally of offenses against our mate. Instant forgiveness and instantly forgetting offenses is evidence of God’s love in a marriage. Remember, love suffers long and does not hold a grudge. Bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Cor. 13]

Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us.