“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” – Titus 2:11-12
When he returned home from Vietnam, Alfonso Aceves was lost. After several run-ins with the law, he and some friends started a motorcycle club called the Mongols.
“When we started the Mongols there were 10 of us. Everywhere we went somebody would want to test us and we’d fight. And, little by little we started growing; growing more chapters until I was getting kind of like famous in there for all the fights that I had - all the things I would do to people,” Al said.
Al made countless enemies, and eventually became addicted to heroin. He married Lorraine, a divorcee with six children.
When his money ran out, Al and his family became homeless. A Christian family took them into their home. They had one stipulation; “We’re going to read a scripture every day when I come home.” Al didn’t know what a scripture was”
But as Al reluctantly studied the Bible, his curiosity began to grow.
He eventually asked Jesus to be the Lord of his life. After some backsliding, Al has given up the drugs and his violent ways. “No matter what kind of biker you are, no matter what club you’re in, no matter what situation you’re in, God can take you out of it. My life has changed just because of Christ,” Al said, “not because of any drug, not because of any program, no doctor, no psychiatrist. God has changed my life completely from the person I was to who I am now.”
We need to say “no” to the world and its passions and temptations. Only in Christ is there salvation. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you self-control and the strength to say "No" to the world and “Yes” to Jesus.
“What makes resisting temptation difficult, for many people, is that they don’t want to discourage it completely.” – Franklin P. Jones
God’s Word: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2013, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN TITUS, JUDE, PHILEMON