Lamentations 1-2, Philemon 1, Psalms 101, Proverbs 26:20

What God said to me – The world is replete with stories of famous people who were known publicly for generosity and kindness and being good people, but then a tell-all book comes out about how at home they were cruel or abusive or addicts or all sorts of ungodly things.  It’s shocking and disappointing.  People “tsk tsk” and say, “you never know what know what goes on behind closed doors”.  So, what about you?  Are you different publicly than you are privately?  Do you put on your “church” face when you go out and act totally different at home?  The Psalmist said, “I will give heed to the blameless way”.  He was committed to walking after Me, not just publicly, but also privately.  He also said, “I will walk in my house in the integrity of my heart.  I will set no worthless thing before my eyes”.  Walking in a manner worthy of your calling doesn’t just mean publicly where you can be seen and judged by others – it also means in your home, with your family, what you watch on TV, what you browse on your computer, what you read, what you think about.  There are no “hands off”, private areas in the lives of My children – they all belong to Me.  “I AM” righteous.  “I AM” holy.  I have called you to live righteous and holy lives everywhere, at all times.

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3, Psalms 100, Proverbs 26:18-19

What God said to me – Paul told Titus to be an example of good deeds, but he was careful to tell him that I saved them not on the basis of deeds – even the ones they did in righteousness – but it was according to My mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing by the Holy Spirit whom I poured out on them so they would be justified by My grace.  The same is true for you – you were not saved because of the good deeds you did, and you don’t keep your salvation because of the good deeds you do.  When I saved you, I purified you and made you zealous for good deeds.  Make no mistake about it – there are no “secret” Christians.  Your behavior and speech and demeanor and attitude should be beyond reproach and the fact that you are My child should be obvious because your walk is so different from the world.  My people will engage in good deed as they walk in obedience to Me.  So, look for opportunities to meet pressing needs and to encourage and comfort those around you.  My kindness appeared to you in the form of My Son.  Let your kindness appear to those around you because of My Son in you.

Jeremiah 51:1-53, Titus 2, Psalms 99:1-9, Proverbs 26:17

What God said to me – It is so easy to blame our bad behavior on anything and everything but ourselves – I can’t control my temper because I’m redheaded – I’m lazy because I was the baby of the family and everyone did everything for me, and on and on.  However, My children were not saved to continue to walk in their old way of life.  My Son gave Himself to redeem you from every lawless deed and to purify you and to sanctify you.  You must stop using your past, the way you were raised, your personality or anything else to excuse your sin and dictate the way you behave.  I have called you to walk in a manner worthy of your calling by denying ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly.  You must be an example of good deeds and purity and speech that is beyond reproach so you can unashamedly stand and minister as I direct.  In sports you miss when you fail to keep your eye on the ball.  In life you must keep your eye on Me.