The Next Snap of the Ball

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For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:11-12

Most of us agree that God’s grace is the key to becoming a Christian, but a lot of arguments have been made over just how that happens. Today’s verse begins by telling us that what we need is a grace that brings salvation. Just like the huddle before a football game, Paul is saying to Titus, “Huddle up! Focus on what I am about to say.”  Following that football analogy, Paul gives this young pastor a strategy to not only play, but also to win the game. He starts by saying that everyone knows about God’s grace, but that for this grace to be effective, it has to go beyond simply filling people’s ears. The kind of grace that brings salvation must accomplish two things. First, in the same way that players line up to play according to the coach’s game plan and not their own, we must begin by giving up our old way of life and accepting God’s new one. Next, this grace that brings salvation also prepares us to spring into action when ball is snapped. Paul summarizes our part in the play as “Living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” Does that mean we have to be perfect? Of course not. No one would be on the team if that were true! So when we mess up God’s game plan, it is just like the receiver dropping the ball or the running back fumbling. Stuff happens in this life and we mess up. But when the whistle blows, we don’t change our uniforms and line up on the other side of the ball. Instead, we just say “Sorry coach, It was my fault.” Then get back to the line of scrimmage because God’s game plan of grace is still in effect. Get ready for the next snap of the ball!

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The Rooster’s Crow

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And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 ESV

While my wife and I were staying in a little farm town in Brazil we wondered if their roosters ever sleep! All through the night, the vira lata (stray dogs) and roosters seemed to be holding animal choir practice. Though at the time we thought it was funny, it also made me think of Peter and a Palestinian rooster long ago. Peter had sworn he would be faithful to death for Jesus, but Jesus knew better. He knew that Peter would fail, and loved him anyway. “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me.” Jesus had told him. But Peter couldn’t hear because He had convinced himself that he would follow no matter what. But Jesus knew Peter’s heart and He knows about ours as well.

It’s funny how we think of the roosters crowing when the sun comes up, but he actually stays awake all night watching out over his hens and alerting them, every time he hears a noise. While we were laughing about the animal choir, the rooster was just saying to his little flock, “Time to wake up! There is danger close by!” God is still sending roosters to remind us that we need to pray. The good news is that He will always hear, forgive and restore. Just like Peter, when he began to weep Jesus will turn, but not to condemn. He turns to let us know He is watching and is ready to forgive and restore. Is there a rooster crowing in your life? It’s time to wake up and pray!

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Life – Liberty and Happiness

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 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-7 ESV

July 4th, 1974 was a hot and humid day in West Plains Missouri, and a perfect day for a church picnic. But what my wife Nancy I remember most about that day is the birth of our oldest son, Chris. The labor pains had begun while we were playing frisbee with our friends in the Jack’s Fork River, but Nancy was having so much fun she declined to tell me until her contractions were five minutes apart. Speeding in a pick-up truck up two miles of dirt road and then another twenty-five on asphalt is something neither one of us will ever forget! But amazingly, right at 11:45 that evening, the adventure of being a mom and dad began, and those small details of that one day are still precious to us after all these years.

On a different 4th of July, two hundred and forty-five years ago our nation was born. On another hot sweltering day in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. It is a day we celebrate, not just because our nation began, but because it was founded with the idea that, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today’s verse tells this same idea by reminding us that we need to honor and respect everyone, (And even pay our taxes!) There are plenty of things we could find to complain about, criticize or even make fun of about our country and its leaders. But our hope and confidence is not in our leaders or even our friends. It lies only in God. He is still in charge no matter who lives in the White House. His laws do not change every time congress passes another piece of legislation or the courts rule with their opinions. Most importantly we must remember that we are commanded to love one another. You might say, “That is a pretty tough row to hoe, you don’t know my family, my fellow church members and my neighbors!” Hey if this were easy God wouldn’t have made it a command! But what is impossible for men, is possible for God. He sent Jesus to the cross to die for us all. There the ground is level and we are equally in need of His grace which alone can give us real life, real liberty and real happiness that will last forever and ever!

Life Liberty and Happiness by Peter Caligiuri first published in the Sunshine Newsletter Copyright 2021 all rights reserved use by permission only