Daily Devotions
[For the grace of God] 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 glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:12-13
I know it’s just days after Christmas, but it’s still Wednesday. And life always seems plain on Wednesdays. Yet what it seems is not always what it is! Because of Christmas, because the Son of God has come into our world in the flesh to save us, nothing is ever plain. Something new is happening.
The grace of God has appeared in Jesus for all people. That grace makes us different. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. Christmas has a subduing power. And Christmas grace has this lasting impact: that by the Spirit’s power we live self-controlled and upright lives. And it’s not just for now—it’s forever. For since we have received the grace that appeared in Jesus’ first coming, we are now waiting for our blessed hope—the glorious return of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
We are in more than the middle of the week. We are always in the middle of God’s salvation in Jesus. His first appearing brought us all God’s grace; His second appearing will bring us into His glory forever. We live in the middle of exciting times!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, as we rejoice now in the mystery of Your Son’s incarnation, may we rejoice forever in His glad appearing in glory. Amen.
My Bold Action for Today: Pick out a “worldly passion” to say “no” to and let that self-denial be a reminder of the excitement of waiting for Jesus to appear in glory.
Rev. Warren Hamp