Portraits of Grace – Deborah Davis

My name is Deborah Davis.  I am privileged to be a mother, grandmother and most recently a great-grandmother.  My husband and I have been blessed to be in ministry for Him for almost forty-seven years.  My husband presently pastors Grace Baptist Church in Hampton, South Carolina.  How God has knit our hearts to the precious people here in the Low County of South Carolina.

Portraits of Grace 

Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”  Saving Grace motivates me because it was wrought by the Person of God.  God’s divine Purpose from the Garden of Eden was to bring salvation.  I can sense the continual Presence of God, because this Grace “hath appeared to all men.”  I would be amiss in looking at this Saving Grace, not to praise Him for the night He saved me.

Titus 2:12 – “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”  The Grace of God is also a Schooling and Sanctifying Grace.  This Grace is the master teacher, to  instruct and train.  It instructs us to deny worldliness.  Not many of us want to deny ourselves anything.  Self sacrifice is not what most want to hear, much less learn.  Schooling Grace instructs us to dedicate our will to the Lord.  This Grace is calling for commitment!  It teaches us to hate wickedness and have a reverence toward God.  We are to turn from the passionate desires of this present age and have a well balanced sound mind.  We are thus trained to live a life on which God can place His approval.

Titus 2:13 – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  “Looking for that blessed hope.” What a Stirring Portrait of Grace that motivates, sustains, and stirs us. All my life I have set short term goals for myself.  It tends to keep me disciplined and organized with my time.  This is the ultimate goal!  One day our beautiful and beloved Saviour will appear for us.

Titus 2:14 – “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  He gave Himself! It is Easter weekend as I pen this devotion.  I think of the Garden of  Gethsemane where Jesus prayed alone, as sweat like drops of blood fell to the ground.  Supplying Grace gave in behalf of sinful man, when He was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and crucified.  Compassionate Grace rescued us, a lawless people.  Supplying Grace was given to make us a private possession of God. 

Titus 2:15 – “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise thee.”  In closing Paul admonishes us to speak up, teach, and reprimand.  Many times I have been intimidated to speak up or correct for fear of being labeled legalistic.  We should not be ashamed, but should keep urging our hearers.  We can rebuke with full authority those who rebel.  Shamelessly stand and do not let anyone disregard you by out thinking you.  Boldly make it clear that we must obey God’s instructions, if we are to please Him.  We are to continue in this Shameless and Sharing Grace of God.

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