Wednesday, March 30, 2011

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR BLESSED HOPE!!!

03- 30- 11 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Titus 2:13- 14)
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR BLESSED HOPE!!!
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14- Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
LOOKING- According to Webster’s Dictionary means “To Direct the eye so as to see; To Gaze; To Consider; To expect; To Heed; To Face; To Appear; To See; To Express by a look.”
HOPE- A Desire of some good, accompanied with a belief that it is attainable; Trust; One in whom trust or Confidence is placed; The object of hope; To Trust; To desire with some expectation of attainment.” As according to Webster’s Dictionary
Personal and relative duties must be done in obedience to his commands, with due aim at pleasing and honouring him, from principles of holy love and fear of him. But there is an express and direct duty also that we owe to God, namely, belief and acknowledgment of his being and perfections, paying him internal and external worship and homage,—loving, fearing, and trusting in him,—depending on him, and devoting ourselves to him,—observing all those religious duties and ordinances that he has appointed,—praying to him, praising him, and meditating on his word and works. This is godliness, looking and coming to God, as our state now is, not immediately, but as he has manifested himself in Christ; so does the gospel direct and require. To go to God in any other way, namely, by saints or angels, is unsuitable, yea, contrary to the gospel rule and warrant. All communications from God to us are through his Son, and our returns must also be by him. God in Christ we must look at as the object of our hope and worship. Thus must we exercise ourselves to godliness, without which there can be no adorning of that gospel which is according to it, which teaches and requires such a deportment. A gospel conversation must needs be a godly conversation, expressing our love and fear and reverence of God, our hope and trust and confidence in him, as manifested in his Son. (The Bible Collection)
As the Lord looks down on us, preparing for his coming down here on earth; we as Christians ought to look up to Him with expectation of His Coming which is the Blessed Hope for us Christians.
(Hebrews 12:2) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (II Timothy 4:8) “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”