Good morning,

Our devotion for today comes from Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringth salvation hath appeared to all men.  Wherever you are today, meditate on this; one of the grandest expressions of the Gospel is contained in Titus 2:11 where Paul tells us that "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men."  How could there be any better news than that? 

What was invisible for many centuries and what was once unavailable has now come into view.  Moreover, this grace has appeared, not simply for the benefit of a chosen few, but for "all men."  When it is experienced in the life of the believer, it becomes what Paul calls "the power of God for salvation" (Romans 1:16)
    

With such power at our disposal, we are sometimes disappointed when we find there are a number of painful chapters in the book of grace.  To most people, the word "power" suggests instant transformation and easy accomplishment.  We often forget that grace is a schoolteacher who has appeared with very specific instructions.  In Titus verse 12, we learn the lesson plan.  This teacher has appeared, "instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age."  We can learn to say "no" to sin and worldly appetites.  We can learn what godliness consists of, and we can find sensible ways to acquire and display it.  What's more, we can do it here and now, right in this present climate of secular humanism.  Such learning may take time, but progress in this school is just as much a tribute to God's grace as the instant changes that sometimes occur when we first get saved.

Have a blessed Good News day!

Your brother in Christ,
J. H. Flakes, III