Renounce Worldly Passions

Happy New Year and happy Monday!

I don't know if you can feel it, but there seems to be an excitement and an anticipation in the air. People around me seem generally content and filled with new hope and expectations for this new year. I know I am certainly looking forward to this year and what God is going to do in my life.

If you're new to the site, I want to welcome you and thank you for subscribing and supporting this ministry. I am making it a goal to continue to post content regularly that will be edifying and encouraging to my fellow believers.

Today, I want to share the first devotional, from the new devotional series, 21 Days: Releasing the Power of God Over Your Life. If you have not purchased your copy, I encourage you to consider it. These devotionals are easy to read and really are designed to give you a daily encouragement during a 21-Day fasting period. Even if you're not fasting, these devotionals are filled with thoughts and biblical truths that will be a blessing to your life. Be sure to stop by the online shop and order your copy today!

Here is the first devotional of 21 Days. Enjoy!

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"Renouncing Worldly Passions"

Titus 2:11-13 - “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

The Bible teaches that God is a God of grace. The grace of God is a gift that is given to mankind, undeservedly, to demonstrate God’s mercy, favor, and blessing over our lives. There is nothing we can do to deserve or earn God’s grace. It is given to us, simply because God loves us immensely. The scripture above teaches us that God’s grace has appeared to us to bring salvation, to train us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live with self-control. There is a lot we could unpack in this scripture, but for today, we will focus on renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions.

Take a moment to reflect on these questions:

• What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to God?

• What types of ungodliness, or worldly passions, have you allowed to creep into your life?

• How has these ungodly activities, thoughts, actions, or influences hindered God’s power from being released over your life?

As the children of God, we must examine our hearts and minds and learn to identify areas of our lives that are not pleasing to God. This is part of the reason why we fast – to abstain from our carnal desires and to draw closer to God. The beauty of God’s grace is that it does not only bring us salvation, but it trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. In other words, God gives us grace as we learn to deny the desires of our flesh. The more I seek Him, and pursue His righteousness, the less I will desire the things of this world (Matthew 6:33).

Practical Steps:

• Write down the things that are distracting you from God’s purpose in your life and eliminate them.

• Start with the little things (like reducing entertainment, or social media for a time).

• Make a commitment to prioritize daily prayer and study of God’s Word.

Prayer Focus: Focus today’s prayer on examining yourself and really asking God to help reveal the areas of your life that are not pleasing to Him. Prayerfully consider your life and identify the worldly passions and pursuits that have hindered your walk with God. Ask God to give you the power to deny these influences and to renounce the worldly passions in your life!

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As you meditate on this devotional, I pray that God begins a new work in your life today. May God give you the strength and the grace to deny worldly passions and pursuits, and to draw closer to Him.

All the best,

Gabe Gonzalez