I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies. This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information. I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!
In IBBS Titus the Introduction, we talked about Paul confessing to be a servant, and that translates to being a slave – but to whom?
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus’s Ministry in Crete
5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
Let’s break these down quickly.
Who was Paul?
Titus 1: 3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
Paul didn’t walk with Jesus.
He seems to feel like he is an apostle out of his time.
Jesus revealed his message to him, specifically, and called Him personally.
Acts 9:1-9 2 Corinthians 12
In IBBS Galatians 1:1-10, I talked about Paul defending his apostleship.
He begins many of his letters with just such defense. It’s as if he’s listing his qualifications as an apostle.
Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith.
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Who was Titus?
Wikipedia has a great summary about Titus, Saint Titus, verses Titus the Roman Emperor.
The international Bible Society gives some information on Titus in it’s intro to Titus.
Christianity Today gives a bit of the Bible Timeline history of Titus.
Apparently, he was someone Paul led to Christ.
Apparently, he was called into the ministry, and served with Paul.
Apparently, he was sent out to minister to Crete, and this is where this letter comes in.
When was this?
From the International Bible Society:
Paul possibly wrote from Macedonia, for he had not yet reached Nicopolis (see 3:12). The letter was written after he was released from his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28), probably between a.d. 63 and 65 (see chart, p. 2261)—or possibly at a later date if he wrote after his assumed trip to Spain.
Why?
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
To complete a work.
To appoint elders.
Next time, I’ll talk about the importance of elders, and watchmen and overseers for the body of Christ, or God’s people, since it starts back with Moses, but for right now, this is the purpose.
Did you notice I skipped something?
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Romans 1:7 KJV
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:3 KJV
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colosians 1:2 KJV
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The BibleHub has quite a collection of cross references for Grace and Peace based on the verse Romans 1:7
It’s as if this is a theme to Paul! A constant Prayer.
Grace…
Peace…
Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version (KJV)
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Is he praying for our salvation? I don’t know…but I’ll take all the grace, mercy, peace, faith and love that I can get. What about you?
Ah, there’s the Where!
Crete…Greece. Preaching to the gentiles!
Next – the requirements for being an elder…you might be surprised at my take on this!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
This is the Hope…that we who were dead in our sins were loved while we were yet sinners and Christ came down from his glorious heaven, took on our form, dealt with our pains and sufferings, and died a horrible death on our behalf, then rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God to intercede for us day and night!
Why did I post all of those previous blog post links? Because, if you do not know the hope of eternal life…they are there to guide you and explain!
If you think you are getting into heaven just because you are good enough…let me burst that bubble right now. So you think you are going to heaven? is something I wrote years ago, and it’s because I want you to have the TRUE hope of eternal life!
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie,promised before the beginning of time,
The hope of eternal life…salvation.
God, who does not lie…I think we can agree with this…God is TRUTH.
Here’s a bunch of verses about truth…from BibleStudytools.com
None really say God is Truth…but, when you take all of verses together…you get:
Romans 3:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Another collection of God is true verses comes from Bible Knowing Jesus.
Again, only a few specifically say that God is true…but you get the picture…God cannot lie and still be truth.
He promised eternal life…He promised salvation…He promised a solution to our sin situation!
James 1:17 KJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2 Timothy 1:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible
12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me[a] until that day.
The end is coming, and our hope is in this eternal life…
1 Thes 4:14-18
18 Therefore encourage[e] one another with these words.
Hebrews 6:13-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Inheriting the Promise
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself:
14 I will indeed bless you,
and I will greatly multiply you.[a]
15 And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham[b] obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. 17 Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
So, this goes back to Abraham….
What about Noah? Genesis 9
God promises not to destroy the world again with a flood – but Noah and his family were a type of salvation…
Hebrews 11:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
For that matter, Hebrews 11talks a lot about the promise not seen in the heroes of the Faith.
Heb 11:10 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Heb 11:16 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Heb 11:39-40 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Now, going back before Noah…
Hebrews 11:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Heroes of Faith
11 Now faith is the reality[a] of what is hoped for, the proof[b] of what is not seen. 2 For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was[c] created by God’s command,[d] so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.
Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
How did God promise this gift of eternal life before time began?
What happened before creation?
Luke 10:18 KJV
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Isaiah 14:12-15 King James Version (KJV)
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
One thing that Got Questions says that I’m not sure I agree with is that the fall was AFTER creation.
Let me put forth what I believe I’ve just gotten, and you be the judge as to the WHEN of the thing!
Based upon the promise before time began, when did time begin?
Genesis 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.[a]
2 Now the earth was[b] formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and He called the darkness “night.” Evening came and then morning: the first day.
As far as I’m concerned – time was created when God created the light, separated the day and night, and declared “the first day” was good!
Time began.
As I read Titus 1:2, I take it that he had the plan for our salvation BEFORE day ONE.
WHY?
To choose good, there must be something else to choose from.
The lack of good.
Otherwise known as not good, or evil.
The angels were created with choice – but, what choice did they have? Hmmm. Lucifer wanted to be like God! And he was already prepared to tempt Eve with the same thing!
God knows the end from the beginning, right? Isaiah 46:10
God wants us to love him freely, not out of requirement or slavery, right?
So, God gave us a choice…freewill…and, it didn’t take very long, as far as we know, for humans to mess up.
Knowing that we would mess up, and choose ‘not good’, God still put the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil in the midst of the garden.
It’s the ONLY thing that they could not touch. THE ONLY THING!
They could have eaten from the tree of life!
AND EVERY OTHER TREE, SO BEAUTIFUL, SO FRUITFUL, SOME THAT WE CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE! Paradise! with ONE restriction.
The devil was there in the garden…
The devil used words to tempt Eve to question God.
Adam didn’t stand up to Eve…which may have changed everything! He just ate.
Their gods were their bellies, their eyes and their pride. Phil 3:18-20
The sin was idolotry…they put their own desires above God. They wanted to be LIKE God!
This is the first death, and it was on behalf of Adam and Eve’s sins…their futile attempts to hide their sins with fig leaves failed. The wages of sin is death…something had to die…and Adam and Eve had to wear the skins of the animals that they had named and cared for…to remind them of the cost of sin.
Hebrews 9:22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
22 In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].
The shedding of animal blood was the foreshadowing of Christ being the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29
Isaiah prophesied of this lamb in Isaiah 53 – long before he came.
Here’s what has blown my mind.
As I read it, God had already experienced the angels falling….and they had lived in perfection.
Still he chose to create us.
He knew the end from the beginning…so when Eve was rebuked, He knew that Jesus was going to come and die on our behalf…seed of Eve, destroying the seed of the enemy.
When HE covered them with those bloody animal skins, the first death, HE KNEW that one day, Jesus would be that bloody mess, paying the price for sin on our behalf.
And still – God chose to create us.
He created us in His image…so that we could be like him.
He gave us free will and choice…so that we could choose to be like him…or not.
And, He gave us His son, that we might be saved from the dead heart that chooses evil.
AND – HE GAVE US THE GIFT OF FAITH SO THAT WE COULD BELIEVE!
Ephesians 2:8-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
But even before that!
Before time began!
He created us with a plan!
He knew we would choose to fail,
And that we would slip into hell
But when we listen to his voice
He calls us to a better choice
Come unto me my little dears
I will love and draw you near
I have loved you since before time began
And I have set in motion the perfect plan.
Choose Jesus and the blood you see
And I’ll give you life that is so free
The life I planned, that you destroyed
Is still here waiting with love untold.
Just turn to me, and let me show
The love I planned to help you grow.
Eternal life is mine to give,
Just turn to me, and live, live, live.
(c)MCWildman2019
Forgive me for this long passage of scripture at the end, but, it is God’s words to us…He has set before us life and death…we must make a choice!
16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
I hope you worship with me:
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Last time, I talked about the importance of Word!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guard my heart – I want to dig into the words, because I want to know a bit more about the words!
Why?
Well, I believe everything started with a word (phrase, actually)
John 1:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
To be like Jesus, I need to know Jesus more.
Jesus is the incarnation of God the Father, and the way that God made for me to KNOW Him better.
The Holy Spirit is the indwelling person of the Godhead. To know Him, I need to spend time with Him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next word/phrase is all vigilance, diligence, utmost care, and above all else.
It’s serious.
It’s to be done intentionally.
This is how I will guard my heart with all diligence.
Walking in the Spirit.
Living in the Spirit.
Hide the Word in my heart.
Study Jesus!
Be like Jesus!
Keep account of my days…Ps 90:12
Seek wisdom
Be Prepared for what’s coming.
One thing that I’m certain of, in the focus upon words, that we will be judged by our words.
Matthew 12:36-37 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.[a] 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 13:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 From the words of his mouth,
a man will enjoy good things,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
What does the mouth have to do with the heart?
Matthew 12:34 King James Version (KJV)
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:45 King James Version (KJV)
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The mouth is the indication of what is in the heart! My words can tell me what is the state of my heart.
James 1:26 King James Version (KJV)
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Psalm 39:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
The thing is, James 3:1 fits the diligently warning…
The Berean Bible says it this way:
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
I’ve talked about us being judged…above about our words, our tongue. What about other ways?
1 Corinthians 11:28-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[a] eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
Jeremiah 31:17-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 There is hope for your future—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
and your children will return to their own territory.
18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,
“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined
like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and I will return,
for you, Lord, are my God.
19 After I returned, I repented;
After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief.
I was ashamed and humiliated
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
20 Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me,
a delightful child?
Whenever I speak against him,
I certainly still think about him.
Therefore, My inner being yearns for him;
I will truly have compassion on him.
This is the Lord’s declaration.
Itty Bitty Bible Study Habakkuk 1 talks about how allows things to discipline us. How much better to be disciplined by the Father, than judged without grace!
IBBS Habakkuk 3 goes into the reason that we want the Father to discipline us…as His sons.
The point here is not judgement in the sense of condemnation, but rather conviction and self searching to rid ourselves from anything that would be displeasing to the Lord!
Our Prayer – our heart – should be that Father God would help us to search our hearts,
Psalm 51 is a prayer for cleansing, of repentance, and of trust that the Lord would renew us, in the light of some consequences for choices that make life a bit uncomfortable. That discomfort is to cause us to turn back to the Lord, and repent from the ‘other’ that we were following.
If we were supposed to be perfect, we would not have the promises in 1 John for an advocate that will cleanse us from our sins!
It’s our job to check our hearts…and to continually put off those fleshly things and put on the things of the Spirit…the fruit, the qualities of Love, the beattitudes that Jesus taught…to crucify the flesh and strengthen the Spirit by the Power of the blood of Jesus, and the renewing of the mind. romans 12:1-2
There is a Christian comedian/satirist named John Christ. He has several videos about Check your heart!
Seriously, why should we check our heart?
Well, there are others that are…Christian and non Christian…as well as our Father in Heaven!
I wrote about the difference between Judas and Peter – they both denied Christ…but one had heart knowledge of forgiveness.
Jesus pled with the disciples at Gethsemane to Watch and Pray that they not fall into temptation! Matthew 26:41
Jesus told Peter that Satan had a target on his back! Luke 22:321
Paul wrote much about being aware of the enemy’s schemes.
I believe it is the heart issue.
We’ve talked a lot about how works are the evidence of our salvation. The outward sign of our inner work is how the Episcopalians describe sacraments. Neither the sacraments, nor the disciplines of faith, nor even the fruits gain us salvation, but they are evidences of our salvation. Jesus said that we can know them by their fruit.
Judas was willing to betray this man – but Peter was not willing to have him wash his feet!
Judas was known to be a thief – but Peter was willing to step out on water, and was declaring his dying loyalty!
Judas did not understand the concept of forgiveness – Peter had been taught over and over, and was alive to experience Christ’s forgiveness.
I wonder what Peter learned from his experience with JESUS. When Peter stepped out of the boat in faith and walked on the water, and then he looked around at the storm and he took his eyes off Jesus, and said “Lord Jesus save me”, and Jesus reached out his hands and caught him. I wonder, did that impact Peters understanding that Jesus knows we’re going to mess up, and Jesus would forgive. This experience had to be enormously impactful to this fisherman!
IBBS Ephesians 2:11-19 goes into the comparison of flesh and spirit.
If we are showing fleshly behaviors…our heart is in the flesh!
If we are showing spirit behaviors…our heart is in the Spirit!
Galatians 5:22-25 King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
IBBS Galatians 5 goes into detail about how we can be free from the law, but also, needing to walk in the Spirit and producing fruit.
In John 15, we have Jesus talking to us about abiding in Him, and producing much fruit.
We prove that we are God’s disciples by our fruit!
One of the ways we can judge the fruit is by the words that come out of someone’s mouth…or, our own mouth!
Dear friends, in checking my heart, I’ve been listening to the words of my mouth.
They may not be all horrible, but they are not always positive!
Phil 4 has so much in it about how to stand firm in God, but verse 8 talks about what things to focus upon.
Philippians 4:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.
If these are the things I’m meditating upon, wouldn’t these be the qualities of what comes out of my mouth?
Back to life and death are in the power of the tongue.
When God gave me this focus for this year, to guard my heart, I thought that it was going to be a study on the heart.
No…it’s a study on how to CHECK my heart!
Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies. This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.
I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!
Greeting
1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
In IBBS Titus Introduction, we discussed Paul’s definition of himself as a servant or slave, and apostle.
We discussed the why – to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.
Here’s a few quick comments. Who are God’s elect?
Got Questions has a great article on the theologies of Predestination and Election.
In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:3-6, I discuss what I feel is the most important focus in this debate. I hope you go look at that…It points to the need for faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
In IBBS Ephesians 2:1-10, I talked about this very concept. We are saved by Grace, through faith BY GOD!
We know that we are a chosen generation, correct? 1 Peter 2:9
What about Godly?
Psalm 4:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
What does that mean about who can be saved?
1 Timothy 2:3-4 King James Version (KJV)
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
and this puts both together:
2 Timothy 2:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Or complicates it…but, no matter what, Jesus said:
John 3:16-18 King James Version (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
2 Peter 3:8-10 King James Version (KJV)
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
The fields are indeed white for harvest. Matthew 9:37-38 – but we must be ready to be the workers!
Matthew 9:35-38 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Lord of the Harvest
35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[a] disease and every sickness.[b] 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
I believe that Paul is speaking to those that confess to be believers, and discussing how the body needs to be helped.
Therefore, yes, we are to share, preach, and minister to those outside the church, but especially the household of Faith:
Galatians 6:10 KJV
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
So often, we are told to build up one another in our most holy faith. Jude 1:20, 1 Thes 5:11, Eph 4:29 for a few.
This is the purpose of the Church body! 1 Corinthians 12 talks about the needs of the Body of Christ.
We are the Body of Christ. We should be encouraging one another
Ephesians 5:19-21 King James Version (KJV)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Outside of the church, we are to go, preaching the gospel and making disciples.
Mark 16:15-16 King James Version (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Inside the church, we are to encourage one another, lift one another up, sometimes, exhort one another, but mostly..LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Why is Paul doing this?
He wanted to lift up those believers….
…securing their knowledge of the TRUTH…
To what end?
…leading to godliness.
So, outside, we have the unbelievers that need to know the truth of salvation, and at the end of this blog, I have several links that will share the truth of salvation.
Inside, teaching the truth that leads to godliness(vs 1)…what is that about? If they are believers, they(we) don’t need to be preached salvation to, right? What do we need to learn about?
1 Peter 2:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Living Stone and a Holy People
2 So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation,[a] 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.[b]
1 Corinthians 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
3 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife[a] among you, are you not fleshly and living like unbelievers?[b]
Hebrews 5:11-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
What is the indication of immaturity? Ungodliness. Therefore, Paul is writing to draw believers to the truth of faith that leads to godliness.
Does that mean perfection?
Well, there is a verse with which I used to beat myself over the head.
Thank you Blue Letter Bible!~ I’ve included the search link so that you can look even deeper.
Outline of Biblical usage brought to its end, finished wanting nothing necessary to completeness
perfect
that which is perfect consummate human integrity and virtue of men full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Can we choose to walk in integrity? Yes!
Do we have all we need to move into completeness in Christ? Yes, His word and the Holy Spirit!
Can we choose to walk in virtue? Yes!
Can we grow into the fullness of Christ, maturing day by day? Yes!
It’s not that we are perfect NOW, but that we are choosing day by day the things of God, rather than the things of this world!
How do we do that? THE WORD OF GOD! Get in the Bible! God’s TRUTH leads to godliness.
It’s a choice, a growth, moving towards something.
Even so, just like the truth about being saved by God, by a gift of faith, we grow in God by His working in us!
Philippians 2:13-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.
Godliness…defined:
Dictionary.com
conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; pious.
coming from God; divine.
Godliness is a significant term in the Christian faith. According to Strong’s Concordance, the word is translated from the Greek word for “piety”, and is used in the New Testament fourteen times in the letters of Peter and Paul. While the expression also refers to the divinity of God, godliness in the Bible is mainly used to describe a positive way of life influenced by God, and inspired reflection in the tenets of the Christian faith.
We have all felt the condemnation of needing to be perfect.
It’s just that…condemnation.
Condemnation brings death.
Conviction brings life.
If it brings fear, worry, and doubt – it’s not from God.
If it brings challenge, love, and courage – it’s probably from God, even if it hurts.
Giving up our pet sins hurts.
Losing out on God’s best will hurt eternally!
Here’s some verses about truth leading to godliness:
Colossians 2:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.[a] 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.
Colossians 1:25-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
25 I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The promise is that it’s GOD that began the work, and God will complete it!
Phil 1:6 HCSB
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Oops, here is another clue that there are differences…in this case, the apostles vs the other people following along. What’s up with that?
Wolves…Matthew 7:15 King James Version (KJV) 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Remember, we were like them at one time.
Romans 2:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing[a] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Galatians 6:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This gives some insight into expectations of those that are more mature in the Lord, and how they are to minister! We are all in a different place in our walk with Jesus – we can learn from all – beware that we not be tempted – but lovingly come alongside each other to grow together in Him!
Is godliness required?
We are to offer the sacrifices of righteousness…
Romans 12:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.[a] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Psalm 5:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 But I enter Your house
by the abundance of Your faithful love;
I bow down toward Your holy temple
in reverential awe of You.
8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness
because of my adversaries;[a]
make Your way straight before me.
Romans 14:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Remember, if we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior…and we have chosen to look forward, to become more like Christ…and we work out our own salvation day by day, we are right with God.
Righteousness with God…is being right with God.
Do we sin?
Yes
Does that separate us from the Father?
Only in the same way that disappointing a parent would briefly cause separation from our parent, until we repent, ask forgiveness, and turn from that behavior that causes separation. It’s not a lose or keep salvation situation, it’s a fellowship situation.
Getting to know Jesus is key to being in fellowship with him.
Spending time in His word is key to getting to know Him.
Spending time with the Holy Spirit in prayer is key to connecting with the Godhead.
This is what Paul wants to prepare Titus for, to help with in the church at Crete.
This is what God wants us to be prepared for, in the church we attend.
He wants mature believers to minister to the other believers, so that they will have knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…
and to share with those outside the church, the hope of eternal life, that God promised before time began.
And seriously, can’t we all be ministered to by remembering the hope of eternal life? …remembering that God keeps his promises?
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I was given a suggestion – one little word. Based upon Ali Edwards’ One Little Word. (scrapbooking focused)
…
Another friend recommended the site My One Word for those that don’t scrapbook.
The word was prepare – as in faithfully prepare. I wrote a lot.
In 2018, I gave up on getting a word! Be Like Jesus was the focus. I didn’t write as much specifically on my one word, but I wrote in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and led a Roman’s Bible Study – so, I think that those things added up to getting into that focus!
This year, as usual, I didn’t get a word…I got a verse, or a phrase (Be Like Jesus is very much the whole Bible!)
This is one time that I did play around with different versions.
The Bible Hub makes it so easy! Proverbs 4:23
Young’s Literal translation says it this way:
Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it are the outgoings of life.
Break it down. KEEP YOUR HEART Keep your heart is translated as guard mostly. Watch is also used.
One version specifically says with all watchfulness.
Thanks to Blue Letter Bible,
The KJV translates Strong’s H5341 in the following manner: keep (38x), preserve (13x), watchmen (3x), besieged (2x), keeper (1x), monuments (1x), observe (with H7521) (1x), preserver (1x), subtil (1x), hidden things (1x), watchers (1x).
Outline of Bible usage:
to guard, watch, watch over, keep
(Qal)
to watch, guard, keep
to preserve, guard from dangers
to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
to guard, keep secret
to be kept close, be blockaded
watchman (participle)
You see, I’m no Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek scholar – I’m dependent upon Strong’s Concordance.
My point of view is that God will let me see what I need to know about the verses I’m studying.
In my language.
Isn’t that what Wycliff, Guttenburg, Tyndale and Luther wanted? It was their passion, and in many cases, the death of them.
For your enjoyment, here’s a great summary of how we got the Bible in English! English Bible History by Greatsite.
Men were hunted and killed for wanting to give us the Bible in common language. That’s pretty serious! We need to respect the seriousness of their work, their passion, and their gift to us who follow!
Even in the midst of the enemy’s desire to destroy God’s word, God insisted that the Bible live on, and protected the work of the men that gave their lives to translate for the common/indigenous peoples…the first being the very ones attending the churches! The first indigenous bibles were in German, English, and other such languages that were common, not limited to those scholars and priests, in the ivory towers and cathedrals.
It’s possible that the first protest…as in protestant…was to read the Bible for themselves!
Guard my heart – I want to dig into the words, because I want to know a bit more about the words!
Why?
Well, I believe everything started with a word (phrase, actually)
John 1:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
To be like Jesus, I need to know Jesus more.
Jesus is the incarnation of God the Father, and the way that God made for me to KNOW Him better.
The Holy Spirit is the indwelling person of the Godhead. To know Him, I need to spend time with Him.
And the way to do that is through the WORD of God!
I will confess, looking over the previous years One Word posts is very convicting.
But I have to guard my heart.
I tend to fall into condemnation.
Romans 8:1 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The truth is, though I sometimes have trouble seeing it in myself, I desire to walk after the Spirit!
I desire to grow fruit!
Galatians 5:22-25 King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
My heart’s desire is that I would live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit! God gives me a promise in Psalm 37!
Specifically:
Psalm 37:3-7 King James Version (KJV)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Isn’t that beautiful? The whole Psalm is so comforting.
Guarding my heart is a verb, an action.
So are these:
trust in the Lord
do good
delight in the Lord
commit thy way to the Lord
trust, again…
rest in the Lord
wait patiently
These are key activities to guarding my heart and being watchful!
Walking and living in the Spirit will keep my heart! Guard my heart.
Bible Gateway has a collection of references to loving the Lord with all my heart.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27
The ten commandments, rolled up into two – and the first is so foundational to the second:
Luke 10:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 He answered: Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind;
and your neighbor
as yourself.
Praise Break!
Today, I was listening to my youtube channel on Grounding Worship, and I heard “Come thou fount”. This is Jim’s favorite hymn.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Chris Tomlin has such a great way of honoring the great hymns with something new!
I wanted to find the history of this hymn, and through much searching, found a blog by Stephanie that talked about her desire to know more about this hymn as well…and she led me to a new resource, Wordwise Hymns, and the information on Robert Robinson, the author of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Guard my heart….
Proverbs 4:20-22 King James Version (KJV)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Psalm 40:8 KJV
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
This year, I plan to surround myself with His word…to drive it deeper and deeper still into my heart, and renew my mind!
Romans 12:2 KJV
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Colossians 3:10KJV
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
The next part of the verse is with all diligence/ vigilence, utmost care and above all else.
It is serious.
It is to be done intentionally.
I’m going to study that the next time!
https://youtu.be/wCYOpAfo61E
One last thing to share…I created a bracelet to remind me of this year’s focus.
The heart has “life” inscribed on it.
The round charm says Pr 4:23.
I think I have my work cut out for me! I’m so grateful that God has my back, and as long as this is the desire of my heart, He will give this to me! I’m committing my way to His grace, mercy, and guidance!
My prayer:
Psalm 51:10 KJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Do you have a word for this year? Share it with me!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I utilize various resources to research and study these itty bitty Bible studies.
This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.
I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!
Not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Titus was noted in Galatians (cf. Gal. 2:1, 3) where Paul wrote of journeying to Jerusalem with Barnabas, accompanied by Titus. He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. Titus was later left on the island of Crete to help organize the Church, and later met back with the Apostle Paul in Nicopolis. He soon went to Dalmatia (now Croatia). According to Eusebius of Caesarea in the Ecclesiastical History, he served as the first bishop of Crete and remained there in his old years.[citation needed] He was buried in Cortyna (Gortyna), Crete; his head was later removed to Venice during the invasion of Crete by the Saracens in 832 and was enshrined in St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy.[cit
That gives a good basic understanding of who, when and where Titus was.
Bible.org has another great introduction to Titus, explaining that this goes hand in hand with 1 & 2 Timothy as the Pastoral Letters.
Titus 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up[a] the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads[b] to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
In IBBS Philippians 1:1-2, we discussed the aspect of Paul describing his walk as a servant.
Phillipians 1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Servants – websters – one that serves others a public servant; especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer of Christ Jesus – the point of servant is that it has a master…and they declare who their master is, Whom they serve, right up front!
In Galatians, for whatever reason at the time, Paul really spent a lot of the letter talking about WHY he was actually an apostle. IBBS Galatians 1:11-24 & 2:1-10 covers that explanation.
Let’s break down the first verse.
Titus 1:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul,
a slave of God and
an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to build up[a] the faith of God’s elect and
their knowledge of the truth
that leads[b] to godliness,
Who? Paul. The one who was Saul, the leader of those that persecuted Christians. You can read about that in Acts 9.
What? Slave of God.
Definition of slave (Entry 1 of 4)
1 : a person held in servitude as the chattel of another
2 : one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence
This term was so despised in Paul’s time, that it was like shock and awe for him to use it. Of course, it does hearken back to Christ at the last supper in John 13.
Remember, Peter was offended that his Lord and Savior would do a servant’s work! Jesus had a different view:
John 13:12-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Meaning of Footwashing
12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined[a] again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
16 “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master,[b] and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
In Romans, Paul gives another explanation:
Romans 12:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Many Gifts but One Body
3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
The truth is, we are slaves.
BUT WE GET TO CHOOSE TO WHOM!!!
What, part two – apostle of Jesus Christ.
Definition of apostle
1 : one sent on a mission: such as
a : one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ’s 12 original disciples and Paul
An apostle is a specific ministry position in the Christian Church.
There are almost as many beliefs about what, who and when an apostle is as there are church buildings!
In one church we attended it was taught as the ‘fivefold ministry’.
Oddly enough, Wikipedia has an entry on this! It’s really very good for an overview without bias.
Paul wrote about these offices in Ephesians 4.
Ephesians 4:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.
That ties the What and the Why together!
WHY?
to build up the faith of God’s elect and
their knowledge of the truth
that leads to godliness,
That sounds like
build up the body of Christ
unity in the faith,
knowledge of God’s son
growing into a mature man
with stature measured by Christ’s fullness
Oh my.
The purposes for the ministry could very well apply to you and me.
While I am not called to be an apostle, pastor, or what else…I do teach. Do you?
Do you ever share your testimony?
Do you ever lead a bible study?
Or even host a table in a larger group for bible study?
Ok, here’s one…do you ever share a Bible meme on facebook?
You preach…teach…and your light is your ministry!
Aren’t we all called to help each other grow into the fullness of Christ? 1 Corinthians 12 says yes.
Ok, yes, another letter by Paul.
Did Jesus ever ask us to share with each other?
Matthew 5:13-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Believers Are Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket,[a] but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine[b] before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
I have often had difficulty wondering if the letters written to those people were actually applicable to me.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Romans 15:4
4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
And with that…my difficulties disappeared! Granted, again, these two verses are again, written by Paul.
I do think that Jesus’ words make it very clear that we are expected to be Jesus on the earth, to share Jesus’ love, joy, and light and to help each other to grow into the fullness of Christ. I just can’t see how we can get out of having to live up to our calling!
Remember 1 Corinthians 12, with Christ’s words about salt and light.
worship Break!
With that in mind…I’ll move on with Titus, as it applies to US!
coming up:
But first, we’ll finish with Paul’s purpose for the letter, and Titus…who was he?
And then, the beautiful prayer he prays so often….
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Hello 2019!
Good bye 2018.
But first, I tend to look over the past year, and see any mistakes, misunderstandings, mess ups so I can potentially change that for the next year.
One thing I have not normally done is look over the last year for successes! Hmmm, that goes along with my mental illness cognitive distortions…I’ve talked about those in other places. I think that the final days of 2018, I experienced a success. Let me tell you that story!
Last days of 2018 revelation
I had held my husband to a dream I called a vision that I had for us…and I held my children to one when they lived in our house. It was for our joy and the glory of God, so it’s all good, right?
Let me tell you the story.
We had just attended church where the pastor was talking about the mission statement for our church:
Loved
Life
Fulfill your purpose
Pastor talked about how after a very tragic event in he and his wife’s life, they were seeking God about what to do. They realized that they saw others hurting the same way they were, and they could minister to them, and give them hope. Out of that heart was born our church.
Now, this is the key to my purpose and ministry. Out of my wounds, I reach out to other wounded women, and lead them to the healing power and love of Jesus.
After Church, Jim and I went to dinner.
I like to discuss the message after church, it seems to help me settle it down in my heart.
I asked Jim what was his purpose in life.
“To be like Jesus”
Um, that is the general call of God to all those who believe upon Him. That is NOT a specific call.
Here’s what I have seen over the years.
He and I have had difficulties learning each other’s love languages.
He and I have separated and come back together, not with the heavenly music and angels, with the romantic nuances, but by hard work and determination to stay the course as a married couple(we both agree God called us to marry).
He and I have tools that we could share with other couples.
We have been told that we have a testimony that will change marriages.
We have been told that we are called to take what we’ve learned and share it with others.
I asked Jim what was his purpose in life.
“To Be Like Jesus”
Jim has no desire to be in couples ministry.
Jim has no desire to minister to other couples.
Let me clarify that last one.
Jim has no desire to minister to other couples AS A COUPLE.
In fact, we do not have the same point of view about how our marriage has been saved, nor about the testimony of the years, nor about how or what we’ve done, other than God.
My heart broke…Jim had no calling to minister with me to couples that were hurting.
This explained why he had no desire to give counsel to our children about the pit falls they were walking into in their relationships.
This explains why whenever I talk about marriage ministry I hear crickets.
So, I broke down, and spent a day in bed crying out to God.
What is wrong?
Why can’t he see his call?
“Is it his call?”
But Lord, it’s the focus of all things Bible…take the evil and turn it to good…take the wounded to bring healing…our marriage was broken, is broken, but we have tools that we can share to save other marriages!
“What is your call?”
To glean from my wounds to help the wounded seek Jesus and be healed, loved, and delivered.
And the Lord reminded me of one of my visions.
I was standing before women, with healing flowing from my hands as I spoke.
Jim wasn’t there.
The children weren’t there.
Only me.
THIS WAS MY CALL ALL ALONG!
The Revelation? HE DID NOT HAVE THIS CALL!
Do I?
Maybe, but not as a couple, if Jim doesn’t have the call!
It kind of takes a couple to be a couple in ministry to couples. I’m only half of the couple!
Another revelation as I looked at OUR calling…
I also felt that the fact that our children and we collectively represented all 7 motivational giftings, and could be an enormous powerhouse for God…we just had to die to self and learn to work together! A ministering family!
I wanted our family to enjoy the joy of being with Jesus that I enjoyed when I did street ministry, beach witnessing, discipleship, working with homeless, and crisis pregnancy and wounded women. I wanted them to be part of the same joy that I was experiencing.
Instead, I was projecting my dream upon them.
Was there anything wrong with my dream?
No. there are plenty of families that have similar ministries to what I dreamed of.
Was there anything wrong with my approach?
Yes – if God didn’t give them a call, then I was pushing them, and that is NOT the way God works.
Can I see their giftings?
Yes.
Can I make them walk in their giftings?
No.
Can I place a call upon their lives because of the one placed upon my life?
Only if I am God…and I am not…and everyone said or shouted “AMEN”
I repeat, I was projecting a form of my ministry calling upon them. It’s NOT MY JOB to tell them what their calling is!
I’M NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Again, let’s all say AMEN! and THANK GOD!
I apologized to Jim, and asked him to give me grace because i do see the greatness in him, and I see the potential for his story to help heal others, and I know that he is doing so, but not with me.
With me.
Hmmm.
Therein lies one of the lies I have embraced, or the fears that I have allowed to lead me.
I don’t want to be alone.
I will be all alone.
I will fail all alone.
I am alone.
One of the mental illnesses causes me fear when I meet new people that they will not like me or that they will hurt me.
It’s something that by God’s grace, I fight with His word, and when I am on His mission, fear is gone, and I can only love and reach out in Jesus’ name.
Before being anointed in an outing, I am fully human, and fully fighting for fear to leave and love to replace it.
Jim has been a rock for me here on earth – Jesus with skin on, if you will. He has the ability to ground me in an instant…not in the grounding like punishment, but in the grounding like mental peace.
My love languages are words…
Words of affirmation
Quality time
His are not.
Therefore, why would I think that he would be called to speak? Or write? Or do anything with words?
Now, to be honest, his current job has seen him grow in word usage tremendously, and his favorite game is words with friends.
His main language is acts of service…and he has an amazingly generous heart! Two very wonderful giftings!
When we were first married, he thought I was offended that he wasn’t as exuberant as I with worship. I didn’t understand, but I wasn’t offended or judging. Once we discussed it, I understood…he’s very quiet. When he lifts his hand in praise, he is moved tremendously!
I have spent much of our married life expecting a dream to come true if only…
If only I was more submissive
If only Jim was more open
If only I was more prayerful
If only Jim would learn to share(with me)
If only I was more reserved
If only Jim was more If only I were more…
THIS IS NOT FAIR TO EITHER OF US!
Jim’s call may very well be to be like Jesus.
He may have a more specific call.
I may have muddied the waters by putting out there the “call” I dreamed of…and for that, I am eternally sorry.
Our marriage has suffered because of my actions.
Our family has suffered because of my actions.
Our ministries have suffered because of me.
I’ve been learning about recognizing MY CALL for a little while…I mean a SHORT while!
The Associate pastor at church asked me to consider working with the children, because there was a great need. In the split second before I answered, I asked the Lord what to say. Here’s what He told me to say.
“Children’s ministry is where I hide out from doing my actual ministry. It’s an excuse not to work with wounded women”
Pastor Bob got it.
So did I.
Don’t project your call upon someone else!
And don’t let someone else project the need upon you as a call!
Pastor Keith said something else.
If you are not called to this church, I don’t want you here. Go where God wants you!
I’m not sure what that means about Jim and his choice for a church, but I cannot let go that I was called to this church.
That brings up another sticky situation in our marriage, doesn’t it?
But that’s something for us to work on in 2019.
You may be asking how is this a success?
I REALIZED THE SOURCE OF HUGE STRESS IN OUR MARRIAGE AND MY WALK WITH THE LORD!
Once you find the problem, you can find a solution.
Jim was very gracious in accepting my apology.
I’ve apologized for the pressures I put on our children before…and they have to walk in their healing, as all children have to walk in healing towards their human parents for being imperfect. That walk, in each of them, is taking different turns and ups and downs, but, we are so proud of our children.
No, non are in ministry.
No, non are in the super professions like doctor, lawyer, king.
All are functioning members of US society, providing for themselves, and in a couple cases, for their children.
All are ethical, moral, and can create an excellent argument from scripture, and some are even influencing social media for good in ways we’d never have expected.
And, we love them all.
So, to rehash “Be Like Jesus” I’m going to post some of the blogs.
My word for last year didn’t come gently. I started 2018 in pain.
Emotional and Physical.
On January 3, 2018, I didn’t like the phrase God was giving me, nor did I like the application thereof! My first writing as on learning the priority to love – like Jesus. It’s convicting, even a year later! I’m still not doing it so well, but I think the testimony at the beginning of this blog, as in, the end of 2018, says I’m learning something!
Midnight Musings are usually poetic, but the points that God gave me in the night, January 6, 2018, were these:
Glorify God in my struggles
Empathy
Do Good
Love
Joy
Peace
.
My first blog about my one word is also review of the Star Trek series Discovery. I discussed the pros and cons for this show, but, in light of “Be Like Jesus”, I came to this conclusion:
MY views…….
While they are encouraging and inspirational – they do not fill me with the love of Jesus that is MY healing power.
There’s much scripture about how I am trying to apply choices in my life. Because, being like Jesus IS a choice!
January 15th, I started unraveling some human aspects to what was keeping me from being like Jesus. Sin.
THIS IS OUR CHOICE! But if we remain afraid…if we continue lying…we will not know this freedom.
It includes one of my favorite songs by Keith Green:
Another huge thing I had to learn is that resting is being like Jesus! Say What? Yes. January 23, 2018, God cleared up the whole be Super Christian mentality for me, and let me know that HE knows that I need rest, and that HE even exemplified it for me, and created it for me! You also get a nice photo of my spoon collection!
How does this tell me to be like Jesus? REST
1. Recognize my limitations. I am finite. I am NOT GOD-Man!
2. Embrace the YOKE of HIS calling, not MY want to. Make sure I’m doing the Father’s will.
3. Remember that REST is a holy gift from my Father God. It honors God for me to rest.
The rest of the year, I wrote about preparation, recouperation, and recovery from Kidney Cancer in the Surgery Scuttlebutt series. It really was about how I learned how to be like Jesus going through a tremendous trial.
My praise in that time is that Jim said that I was always polite to the staff, no matter what their position, always thanking and always apologizing, no matter how many drugs I was on. I hope the two friends that came to stay with me afterwards can say the same. I was actively learning to be like Jesus!
I wrote several Bible studies, Lent Series, Itty Bitty Bible study, all of which you can search for on this blog. Each one, each insight into scripture, and scripture is how I learn to be like Jesus.
The huge thing(no, kidney cancer and surgery were not the most huge thing in my life this year) was shared in The End is Near… This is a play on my one word, but it is the testimony of how Jesus orchestrated our life change. It goes right up to the kidney surgery, which is then picked up in Surgery Scuttlebutt.
There are so many verses that can lead one to be like Jesus.
I can’t list them all.
There are many listed in the above blogs.
This year, I’m starting out doing Itty Bitty Bible Study in Titus – and the first few verses are about the qualities that should be evident in those that lead.
Titus 1:6-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless,
the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion.
7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator,
must be blameless,
not arrogant,
not hot-tempered,
not addicted to wine,
not a bully,
not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable,
loving what is good,
sensible,
righteous,
holy,
self-controlled,
9 holding to the faithful message as taught,
so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching
and to refute those who contradict it.
That is a huge order.
But with God, nothing is impossible.
The fruit of the Spirit are evident in that list.
And, while I am not the husband of one wife…I can be committed to my one husband, and non of the others can be argued against, can they?
I guess, even though the phrase has changed….the concept is still the same!
Jesus kept his heart with all diligence, and we can agree that out of His heart flows springs of life.
Happy New year!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
The first verse is explained in various versions (as obtained via Bible Hub) and on got questions.
Habakkuk 3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
God’s Salvation of His People
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to [a]wild and enthusiastic music.
Habakkuk 3 Living Bible (TLB)
3 This is the prayer of triumph[a] that Habakkuk sang before the Lord:
Habakkuk 3 World English Bible (WEB)
3 A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, set to victorious music.
In my research, no one really knows, but it sounds like the variations of worship, praise and prayer that we all see today in the variations of worshipers!
I’m going to do chapter three a little different than usual. I’m going to just list the verse, and add some cross references that come to mind. This chapter sounds so completely relevant to today, and the second coming of our Lord (Matthew 24). See if you agree.
Habakkuk 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a]
2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Some verse, then my verses. Do you agree? Do you have some to add?
8 I will listen to what God will say;
surely the Lord will declare peace
to His people, His godly ones,
and not let them go back to foolish ways.
9 His salvation is very near those who fear Him,
so that glory may dwell in our land.
Description of our great God:
3 God came from Teman,
and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
Revelation 1:12-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man,[a] dressed in a long robe and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading[b] waters. 16 He had seven stars in His right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, and His face was shining like the sun at midday.[c]
Do you see the similarities? Not to mention that Jesus is the light of the world! I love seeing Jesus in the Old Testament tying together both testaments!
John 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
5 That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[c] it.
5 Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed at his heels.[a]
“Things followed him”… not? I don’t think this means that pestilence and plague were part of God’s presence. I think this is part of the whole concept that where the holy God is, that which is unholy just trembles and dies! On the other hand, this also sounds very similar to the judgments in Revelation for His coming again to judge the living and the dead.
I’ve written a quickie guide to Revelation from the end to the beginning.
If you want to look up the judgments, start at Revelation 6.
There are many warnings in the Bible of judgement, both in the current lifetime of the prophet/writer, and in prophetic nature for the future. It is a part of the Christian’s theology.
6 He stood and measured the earth;
he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord?
Was your anger against the rivers,
or your indignation against the sea,
when you rode on your horses,
on your chariot of salvation?
This is Habakkuk asking God questions.
What is being said here? Why is a chariot of salvation being called when he’s going forth pouring out judgement?
Salvation for those in the midst?
This brings to my mind the discussions about when the rapture is, when the tribulation is, and where are all the believers during any of this. If you checked out the above collections of verses for end times, you know that this sounds very much like some of the judgments in Revelation! I’m not qualified to write much about this, but there are those who are, and they do not agree! All about God is one place I like to go to for some answers. My belief lines up with a Keith Green quote – “pray for Pre, Prepare for Post” as in, no one knows the hour or day, so be prepared!
My looking at the various scriptures, of which I do not have the space to list here, I am preparing for mid trib rapture. Why? That’s what I see when I look at the whole of the end times verses. Also, it’s what I see as how God works with his children…He saves them in the midst of the storm! My other reason, how terrible will it be for those that are not preparing for any true persecution to find out that they are in the first three and a half years of the tribulation, not raptured out before hand as they had been taught, and completely ill prepared to stand for God in the midst of the horrors that, well, honestly, are going on every where else in the world but here in America. The Bible warns that many will fall away and hearts will grow cold. How many are falling away because the prosperity doctrine does not work for them? How many fall away because it’s been preached that they will be healed in this life, and they continue to suffer, or lose a child, or what have you? Why won’t God answer their prayers? and the spiral starts. Be prepared! And we can rejoice if we are raptured before the tribulation!
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow,
calling for many arrows.[b] Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed;
the raging waters swept on;
the deep gave forth its voice;
it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place
at the light of your arrows as they sped,
at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury;
you threshed the nations in anger.
Still sounds very much like His last campaign on the Earth to separate the sheep from the goats. Just read the various passages listed herein.
13 You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck.[c] Selah
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
There’s a verse about the end times enemies turning upon themselves and hiding. They did so many times in Old Testament battles. One such is Gideon in Judges 7:17-22. Also 1 Samuel 14:20, and 2 Chronicles 20 .
The key for believers to remember is this… the children are saved, in the midst of the judgement. Remember the three Hebrew children, and Daniel in the lions’ den, and Joseph in the pit, and then the jail, and then raised up to deliver the world as they knew it! I discussed this in IBBS Habakkuk 2
Psalm 46:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
the surging of mighty waters.
16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
This is in light of the scripture shared above that except the day be cut short even the very elect would fall away. Here are some verses about our responsibility and our comfort for the end times.
Isaiah 54:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 No weapon formed against you will succeed,
and you will refute any accusation[a]
raised against you in court.
This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants,
and their righteousness is from Me.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
Isaiah 41:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.
Ephesians 6:10-20 is our responsibility to be prepared for battle, remembering this:
Ephesians 6:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
Psalm 37
Who better to fight for us than the God of all Creation?
Jesus is the prince of Peace…Psalm 23 goes nicely here.
As Psalm 46:10 says, Be Still and know that I am God!
Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
No matter what happens around us we need to rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of our salvation because He is the strength of our heart and He does make our feet like Hinds feet that walk on high places!
My Joy blogs –
a year ago I wrote Joyful Joyful about my decision to choose joy.
Why am I talking about Joy in the midst of talking about end time events? I defined Joy for myself several years ago:
Joy is not dependent upon the things going on around me. It depends upon the Joy that is within me –
Another point of view is that
Happiness comes from Happenings, but Joy comes from Jesus.
If we depend on things around us to determine our joy, we will be sadly disappointed, if not depressingly despairing.
If our Joy is based upon Jesus residing in us, no one, NOTHING can take that from us, and we will have the Love of God within us, and the Peace of God sustaining us! Remember the first three fruit of the Spirit are listed as Love, Joy, and Peace! These are gifts to us from our heavenly father because HE KNOWS what’s going to happen! Let’s thank him!
Praise Charts has a list of various Christian Songs to praise the Lord and give Him thanks.
Here’s my praise Break!
Final bit of Habakkuk:
To the choirmaster: with stringed[d] instruments.
Remember that in all of things, we should worship. Worship is our greatest weapon!
Patheos has written a collection about verses to ward off the enemy.
Let me know what you think about this!
~~~
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
2 Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!
Please read all of Habakkuk 3 – but for now, I want to continue some thoughts from the previous posts.
To review:
In IBBS Habakkuk 1, we discussed that sometimes bad things happen to discipline us. that is not always the case.
Sometimes, it’s to test us…(though we are told not to blame God for our temptations!
James 1:12-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him.
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[c] and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
There are those that fall because of their own lusts…and they need Psalm 38
The truth is, that there are those that are refined by the fire, and that refining has a higher purpose!
I discussed those who experienced a higher purpose with the refining fire. The question is, do we realize that God uses EVERYTHING to cause us to grow into the fullness of Christ?
Does God discipline his children?
I believe the answer is yes.
Job 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 See how happy the man is God corrects;
so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For He crushes but also binds up;
He strikes, but His hands also heal.
Proverbs 3:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.
Psalm 94 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Lord, happy is the man You discipline
and teach from Your law
13 to give him relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
1 Corinthians 11:28-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[a] eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
2 Chronicles 6:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 may You hear in heaven
and forgive the sin of Your servants
and Your people Israel,
so that You may teach them the good way
they should walk in.
May You send rain on Your land
that You gave Your people for
an inheritance.
Hebrews 12:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.[a]
Jeremiah 31:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,
“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined
like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and I will return,
for you, Lord, are my God.
2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
There’s a difference designated…those who are God’s people,and those who are not.
Job 27:8 For what hope does the godless man have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?
None…because those that Love the Lord have the hope of living out eternity with God in His Kingdom.
Eccl 8:12-14
12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked,and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.14 There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.
As I said above, Psalm 38 is a cry for repentance. Those that Love God, and are wanting to please Him, know when they have sinned, and they cry out. There is now no condemnation…but there is conviction!
Romans 8 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Read the rest of Roman’s 8 to find our what the child of God’s position of sin ought to be.
The question IS who is righteous and who is unrighteous in God’s eyes.
To point that out we just need to list a bunch of scriptures about righteousness versus unrighteous. Google gives options. I’ve linked and posted a few above.
It is only in Christ Jesus that we are considered righteous. There is no room for pride or elitism.
And since sacrifices in the Old Testament were the foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, trying to live your life according to all the rules of the Old Testament, and then confessing your sins and having faith in the sacrifices, that was what was considered righteous back then.
The thing is, the concept of grace and mercy is far misunderstood today.
Grace is getting that which you do not deserve and
mercy is not getting that which you do deserve.
Got Answers has a great explanation of the difference.
We all deserve the wages of sin which are death.
We all can embrace the gift of God which is eternal life by falling upon The Mercy Seat that had the final sacrifice of Christ’s blood applied.
I’m often disturbed by how many Christians look at God as a Santa God. Only providing good things and never asking us for anything in return.
Jesus himself gave some very clear commands!
Mark 12:30-31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.[a][b] 31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[c] There is no other command greater than these.”
That doesn’t sound like he wiped out the Ten Commandments, or any of the other laws and Prophets as guides for how we should live!
What He wiped out is that we will not have to answer for being Human and failing.
We will have to answer for a lack of faith,
for lack of enduring to the end,
for a lack of holding on,
for a lack of continuing in well-doing,
for not walking in those works for which we were created.
Now, salvation is based on Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having him being the Lord and Master Of Our Lives.
There are plenty of verses that say that there are rewards for those who have their heads chopped off for the kingdom.
Or for those who have lost all things in this world for Christ, or for those who…???
Yet, that isn’t always the requirement. AND they are NOT the REQUIREMENT for salvation. They are the EVIDENCE!
The Bible says that those who teach are held to a higher standard than those who are ignorant. Something for which I am very aware.
I find it hard dealing with the physical and mental issues the God has allowed to continue in my life.
I find it hard to be joyful in the face of discouragement,
to be patient in the face of an ongoing trial, or
to be gracious to someone who has hurt me over and over and over possibly more than 70 times 7.
What I’m saying is, sometimes, when I get a little too comfortable in my life, I need the Lord to get my attention and if that is his disciplining hand to remind me that I am his child, I will say thank you for that!
What does this have to do with Habakkuk?
In Habakkuk’s day, being taken to Babylon was God’s disappointing hand to a people who had become too comfortable and we’re turning their backs on the one who gives them life.
God was promising Habakkuk that there would come a day that there would be judgment and that the joy of the people would be restored.
I’m going to answer that question, and discuss Habakkuk 3 in IBBS Habakkuk 3b.
I know there is a lot of scripture in this blog.
I know there is a lot of reference to additional blog posts.
The thing is, in my world, there is only one truth…ONE TRUTH…and that is the Word of God.
Nothing I say can set you free…only the SON can set you free!
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
My prayer for you is that through Habakkuk, and all studies of the Word of God, you will be set free, and know The Prince of Peace!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Advent Day 20 – Joseph
If using and Advent log, light days 1-20.
Joseph
Holy Family wood
Joseph.
We know very little about him, and yet, enough.
A Carpenter.
Asked for Mary’s hand in marriage.
We know he is a Godly, compassionate man, for when his bride to be is found with child(and has some cockamammy story about being impregnated by God),
he decided to divorce her quietly – so she won’t be stoned. Or would she? Anyway – he’d made his decision, and he got visited by an angel! Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Joseph was told that he was the stepfather to the Son of God.
And he was to name him Jesus, God with us. or was it Immanuel? The folks over at Christian Apologetics and Research have a great explanation of the two names of Jesus and why, therefore, I won’t go into it!
Joseph provides the flesh and blood father that protects Jesus when they have to flee to Egypt.
He provides training for Jesus and provides for the family as a carpenter.
Apparently, he, also, was chosen for his role in Christ’s life, and by taking Mary into his home as his wife, and not ‘knowing’ her as was his biblical right, Joseph said yes to God!
The angel thing again. But seriously, if I met an angel that told me that such and thus was going to happen, especially if I had been in bed, I would second guess myself. Of course, Mary was with child. Joseph could believe or not believe. He said yes.
I believe.
How did Joseph manage? He did just what he knew to do – believe.
Because he believed, he became the step-father of the Son of God.
Now THAT is an intense position!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
I believe that Paul is speaking to those that confess to be believers, and discussing how the body needs to be helped.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.