SCRIPTURE
Titus 2:12 (New Living Translation)
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God

OBSERVATION
Is God pleased with me? Is He proud of me? Does my heart match my life(my lustful nature) or am I no more than a present day "Pharisee"? Sobering questions and eternal bondage for the weak of mind and the ignorant for change. The word "instructed" is saying "God disciplining us." The only way we can come even close to living in righteousness (Godly) is to submit to the righteous(God). We are called to live in this world and it's god, in my God's conditions as righteous as His Son did. We are not called to try and change the world but to change our understanding of our hearts and lives.

APPLICATION
I need to understand more! More about who I am and who I am called to be. At first this may seem to be a pretty deep study, but God calls us to be the "image of Christ". Well now, this breaks it down for me into a simpler way to think. All I have to do is read the book of "instruction", my Bible, and compare it to my life, over and over and over again. The only way for me to truly change to living in righteousness is to take a sober look and understand who I am in Christ and who I am in the world. As I open my heart (life) to the Holy Spirit and leave it open for Him, I will be discipled by God.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit fill my thoughts from my heart where you dwell. Instruct me the ways of righteousness so I may live a life that is pleasing to God.

Cullen Cooper
Choir Member (Tenor), Church Elder