NOVEMBER 21 - GOOD WORKS
READ Titus 3
Those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works.
INSIGHT
It is difficult for us to separate our hope of heaven from our good works. We instinctively feel that we must be good to get to heaven. While God certainly wants us to live good lives, none of us can live a life good enough to get to heaven. One sin disqualifies us, and everyone has sinned more than once. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us...that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (vv. 5, 7). Salvation is a gift.
PRAYER
The Lord longs to mature us in Christ, the very thing for which we long, and so we praise Him:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
Let us exalt his name together.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-3, 8).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
“I deserted you for a brief moment,
But I will take you back with abundant compassion.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
But I will have compassion on you
With everlasting love,” says the Lord your Redeemer
(Isaiah 54:7-8).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
And sustain me by giving me a willing spirit
(Psalm 51:12).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
My soul, bless the Lord,
And all that is within me,
Bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, all his armies,
His servants who do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works
In all the places where he rules.
My soul, bless the Lord!
(Psalm 103:1, 21-22).
Those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works.
INSIGHT
It is difficult for us to separate our hope of heaven from our good works. We instinctively feel that we must be good to get to heaven. While God certainly wants us to live good lives, none of us can live a life good enough to get to heaven. One sin disqualifies us, and everyone has sinned more than once. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us...that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (vv. 5, 7). Salvation is a gift.
PRAYER
The Lord longs to mature us in Christ, the very thing for which we long, and so we praise Him:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
Let us exalt his name together.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-3, 8).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
“I deserted you for a brief moment,
But I will take you back with abundant compassion.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
But I will have compassion on you
With everlasting love,” says the Lord your Redeemer
(Isaiah 54:7-8).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
And sustain me by giving me a willing spirit
(Psalm 51:12).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Greater wisdom in decision-making
- Needs of close friends and family members
- Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
My soul, bless the Lord,
And all that is within me,
Bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, all his armies,
His servants who do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works
In all the places where he rules.
My soul, bless the Lord!
(Psalm 103:1, 21-22).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.