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1 Timothy 6:11-21; Titus 1:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 1:1-18<\/strong><\/span> Titus:<\/strong> Today we read Paul\u2019s letter to Titus!<\/span><\/p>\n ~ Titus ~ <\/strong> The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! \u201cThis letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began\u2013and he cannot lie.\u201d<\/em> Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God\u2019s that you\u2019ve accepted? Do you believe Paul\u2019s teaching here that God cannot lie?\u00a0 Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?<\/span><\/p>\n The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: \u201cHe must enjoy having guests in his home.\u201d<\/em> What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home?\u00a0 When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is?\u00a0 Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Titus titled \u201cInstruction Concerning Elders in the Church\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Titus chapter 2 today is full of great wisdom from Paul!\u00a0 Please let these verses sink in. Verse 14 stands out: \u201cHe (Jesus) gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right?\u00a0 Has Jesus\u2019 life, death and resurrection freed you from sin?<\/span><\/p>\n In Titus 2:11 we read: \u201cFor the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.\u201d<\/em> Do you believe this? What does God\u2019s grace mean to you?\u00a0 How have you experienced God\u2019s grace in your life?\u00a0 Has God\u2019s grace brought salvation to your life? <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Titus titled \u201cThe Foundation, Means, and Motivation for godly Behavior\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The first couple verses of Titus chapter 3 are interesting to me \u2013 \u201cRemind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.\u201d<\/em> Paul is reminding the church at that time to submit to governmental authority \u2013 to be obedient. And to do what is good. This reminds me of Jesus saying in the Gospels \u2013 \u201cgive to Caesar what is Caesar\u2019s. And to God what is God.\u201d <\/em>So, there does certainly seem to be a call to be good citizens of the communities we live in \u2013 as we strive to be good citizens of the kingdom of God simultaneously. Do you think these two can happen simultaneously? Or are there points where there may be a conflict between our obedience to God and obedience to the world\u2019s civil laws & governments? <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings titled \u201cInstructions to Live as Good Citizens in the World\u201d<\/strong> is at this link.<\/span><\/p>\n 2 Timothy:<\/strong> Today we begin Paul\u2019s second letter to Timothy, which was likely the last letter Paul ever wrote. Some call this letter Paul\u2019s \u201clast will and testament!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n ~ Second Timothy ~<\/strong> Second Timothy chapter 1 verse 6 is a very important teaching of Paul\u2019s that each of us should consider in our own lives: \u201cThis is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you notice that Paul says \u201cfan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you\u201d?\u00a0 What does this say to you?\u00a0 This says to me that when God gives us spiritual gifts, they don\u2019t typically come in full bloom all at once!\u00a0 The gifts are given, and then we are to partner with the Spirit of God in fanning the embers of the spiritual gifts into full flames!\u00a0 This is really powerful to think about.\u00a0 I think sometimes we think that once we\u2019re saved, that\u2019s it.\u00a0 We\u2019re done.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got all we need and there\u2019s nothing more to do except wait for heaven.\u00a0 Well\u2026\u00a0 I think once we\u2019re saved the spiritual adventure really begins!\u00a0 God\u2019s gives us spiritual gifts.\u00a0 He gives us Kingdom work to do on this side of heaven!\u00a0 Do you believe that you have spiritual gifts?\u00a0 Do you know what they are?\u00a0 If not, do you suppose that perhaps your spiritual gifts are currently embers and now is the time for you to \u201cfan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you\u201d?\u00a0 Let us fan the flames folks!<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings in 2 Timothy 1 reminded me of Tenth Avenue North\u2019s great song, \u201cLove Is Here:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 64 or 65
Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus\u2019 task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met.
Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers <\/em>\u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d<\/em> p. 30) <\/em>A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul\u2019s letter to Titus is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: \u201cI left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: Paul the apostle
Place<\/span>: Probably Rome
Date<\/span>: A.D. 66 or 67
Content<\/span>: This letter was probably the last letter that Paul ever wrote, and he addressed it to his former associate Timothy. It is a personal letter that expresses Paul\u2019s deepest feelings and the assurance that though his earthly life might end, God had eternal life waiting for him in heaven. Paul also reflects upon the faithfulness of God (who led him through his entire life) and upon the coming desperate days when men would depart from the truth, refusing to acknowledge God as Lord. He exhorts Timothy to stand firm in the face of the coming persecutions.
Theme<\/span>: The sovereign control of God over all things is the basic theme of this book. Although distress has come and will continue to increase, God is in control and those who trust him will have nothing to fear. Paul also adds his own testimony of faith, describing how he fought for the truth and will be rewarded by God in the end. (Above commentary is from <\/em>Tyndale Publishers \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d<\/em> pp. 29-30)\u00a0 <\/em>A wonderful commentary on Second Timothy by Dwight Edwards titled \u201cCall to Completion\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n