9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
12 I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
15 Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us.
May God’s grace be with you all.
Terrie's Comments:
We have gone from not arguing about politics to avoiding foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees OR in quarrels and fights about obedience to the law. These things are USELESS and a WASTE OF TIME.
This is kind of the clincher... people who do these things have turned away from the truth. We need to be in the word, speak the word, live the word. Man doesn't live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
People learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others. We live in a community that is really good at meeting urgent needs... how about the rest of you? How is this played out in your communities or homes?
Tori's Comments:
I find it so crazy in a way how often the same argument is repeated in the New Testament: you're free from the law! I don't know if people can't believe it or just don't want to.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Showing posts with label Titus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Titus. Show all posts
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Day 5 - Titus 3:1-8
1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Tori's Comments:
What does it mean to be 'gentle', because I can't seem to come up with a definition that satisfies me. Thoughts, anyone?
Guys, guess what. We're made brand new. We get another chance. ISN'T THAT AWESOME?!
Terrie's Comments:
Devote yourselves to doing good. I can't help but think that if this is our focus then we would not be so apt to slander anyone or be involved in quarreling. As social media has increased I have seen an increase of petty arguments and a willingness to slander people online... especially our government and politicians. All of the arguing on social media hasn't furthered the kingdom of heaven for sure or attracted people to Jesus Christ.
I love verses 4-7 they are a great description of what Jesus did and what the Holy Spirit provides for us. This is why we should be willing to devoting ourselves to doing good. Going forth with confidence from the Holy Spirit that we will inherit eternal life and we are right in the sight of God!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Tori's Comments:
What does it mean to be 'gentle', because I can't seem to come up with a definition that satisfies me. Thoughts, anyone?
Guys, guess what. We're made brand new. We get another chance. ISN'T THAT AWESOME?!
Terrie's Comments:
Devote yourselves to doing good. I can't help but think that if this is our focus then we would not be so apt to slander anyone or be involved in quarreling. As social media has increased I have seen an increase of petty arguments and a willingness to slander people online... especially our government and politicians. All of the arguing on social media hasn't furthered the kingdom of heaven for sure or attracted people to Jesus Christ.
I love verses 4-7 they are a great description of what Jesus did and what the Holy Spirit provides for us. This is why we should be willing to devoting ourselves to doing good. Going forth with confidence from the Holy Spirit that we will inherit eternal life and we are right in the sight of God!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Day 4 - Titus 2:9-15
9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
Terrie's Comments:
This world is evil. We are to be set apart from the things of this world and look forward with hope to the day when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ ill be revealed!!
Jesus gave his life so we could be FREE from every kind of sin. We are to be set apart and totally committed to doing good deeds.
Tori's Comments:
I think this really shows how little our circumstances should truly affect us. I was talking with a friend today about why joy is so important and how it actually benefits us. That even as a SLAVE, with no rights whatsoever, that hope and joy and love for everyone should still be there. Because everyone will reach the point in their walk with God where they have to choose either him or the world. And if you choose him, he becomes all that matters.
Everything else doesn't even come close to mattering.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
Terrie's Comments:
This world is evil. We are to be set apart from the things of this world and look forward with hope to the day when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ ill be revealed!!
Jesus gave his life so we could be FREE from every kind of sin. We are to be set apart and totally committed to doing good deeds.
Tori's Comments:
I think this really shows how little our circumstances should truly affect us. I was talking with a friend today about why joy is so important and how it actually benefits us. That even as a SLAVE, with no rights whatsoever, that hope and joy and love for everyone should still be there. Because everyone will reach the point in their walk with God where they have to choose either him or the world. And if you choose him, he becomes all that matters.
Everything else doesn't even come close to mattering.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, February 27, 2017
Day 3 - Titus 2:1-8
1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Tori's Comments:
Our lives show what it's like to walk with Christ, especially for the next generation, be it with siblings, kids, or grandkids. As a church, we're supposed to spur one another on and encourage one another. This can be from setting an example and reading your bible daily to not complaining.
Let EVERYTHING you do... (vs. 7) Not just the stuff in front of everybody. The stuff you do when it's just you and them. The stuff you do with the person you like the least. The stuff you do when you're alone.
Terrie's Comments:
Mentoring each other is so important. It is the way we are helped and held accountable. When we allow ourselves to be in the counsel of many we become stronger together.
The one motive I see here is to teach the TRUTH so that no SHAME will be brought to the word of God or His servants. Words are powerful. When we choose to speak the truth of God's word it brings life. Speaking contrary to the word of God brings death and destruction.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Tori's Comments:
Our lives show what it's like to walk with Christ, especially for the next generation, be it with siblings, kids, or grandkids. As a church, we're supposed to spur one another on and encourage one another. This can be from setting an example and reading your bible daily to not complaining.
Let EVERYTHING you do... (vs. 7) Not just the stuff in front of everybody. The stuff you do when it's just you and them. The stuff you do with the person you like the least. The stuff you do when you're alone.
Terrie's Comments:
Mentoring each other is so important. It is the way we are helped and held accountable. When we allow ourselves to be in the counsel of many we become stronger together.
The one motive I see here is to teach the TRUTH so that no SHAME will be brought to the word of God or His servants. Words are powerful. When we choose to speak the truth of God's word it brings life. Speaking contrary to the word of God brings death and destruction.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Day 2 - Titus 1:10-16
10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.”13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.
15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Terrie's Comments:
We know that we are not saved by works. We are only saved by grace. Why then should we seek a life of righteous living if we are saved by grace no matter what we do? This would be the clincher here... "such people claim to know God, but they deny him by the way they live"
We are not saved by anything we do. We can't make God love us more or less by our actions. God's favor doesn't rely on us at all. We are seen as righteous through the blood and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he is lord of your life then it will change the way you live. The Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out. There will be undeniable fruit in your life.
This is why this passage also says "Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure." We are saved by grace... but that same grace when received also changes us forever!
Tori's Comments:
"useless talk" another thing to be alert of in my own life.
"deny him by the way they live" Christianity is a full transformation. It flips you upside down. Is that transformation, that rebirth, obvious in my life?
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Terrie's Comments:
We know that we are not saved by works. We are only saved by grace. Why then should we seek a life of righteous living if we are saved by grace no matter what we do? This would be the clincher here... "such people claim to know God, but they deny him by the way they live"
We are not saved by anything we do. We can't make God love us more or less by our actions. God's favor doesn't rely on us at all. We are seen as righteous through the blood and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he is lord of your life then it will change the way you live. The Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out. There will be undeniable fruit in your life.
This is why this passage also says "Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure." We are saved by grace... but that same grace when received also changes us forever!
Tori's Comments:
"useless talk" another thing to be alert of in my own life.
"deny him by the way they live" Christianity is a full transformation. It flips you upside down. Is that transformation, that rebirth, obvious in my life?
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Day 1 - Titus 1:1-9 - Treasure Hunting with Titus and Philemon!
This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 3 And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.
4 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.
5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
Tori's Comments:
There are high standards to leading the church, but even thinking about ANY Christian, we are all ambassadors of Christ and must remember we represent Him here on earth.
Terrie's Comments:
I have decided that since we are treasure hunting that I will be looking for the gems in each passage :-)
Today this was the gem I found... "He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong"
In order to pass on what we know to others in an effective way we must first be taught so that we have a strong belief and a solid foundation. It is important to learn from those people around us who are teaching the truths in the Bible.
Once we are solid in our foundation we can then encourage others and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
4 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.
5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
Tori's Comments:
There are high standards to leading the church, but even thinking about ANY Christian, we are all ambassadors of Christ and must remember we represent Him here on earth.
Terrie's Comments:
I have decided that since we are treasure hunting that I will be looking for the gems in each passage :-)
Today this was the gem I found... "He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong"
In order to pass on what we know to others in an effective way we must first be taught so that we have a strong belief and a solid foundation. It is important to learn from those people around us who are teaching the truths in the Bible.
Once we are solid in our foundation we can then encourage others and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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