The godly lives and righteous behavior of believers should set an example to the ungodly, who speak against the truth. Their conduct and character should convict evil-doers of their wrongdoing. Living godly lives should act as a testimony to the truth of the gospel. The way Christians behave and the words they speak should serve to promote the Word of truth and honor the Lord. We are not to imitate the ways of the world, but to talk about things that are true and to speak of things that are honorable and doctrinally sound. It is not always pleasant to have to chasten a fellow believer who has stepped outside the boundaries of truth or who has strayed from the path of righteousness. Sometimes inexperienced church leaders, timid elders, overbearing brethren, or misguided Christians, can cause great damage when attempting to reprove a fellow believer, due to legalistic learnings, incorrect doctrine, lack of spiritual understanding or a tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others. There are many lessons to learn for older men and women, younger pastors, appointed elders, and the whole Body of Christ in this letter to Titus. We would all do well to study its organization and orderliness, and to ensure that our character and conduct reflects the Godly Behavior Presented To Us In Scripture. May we hold fast to the gospel of truth and live lives that encourage others, support our leaders, and honor our God and Savior. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the timely words of instruction Paul gave to Titus and the encouragement he gave to speak, exhort, and reprove with all authority,. We pray that we would be living testimonies to the truth of Your Word and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray that Church elders, pastors, and those in authority, would act responsibly in their important tasks concerning the organization, orderliness, and spiritual well-being of the Body of Christ. We pray that they would speak the truth in love and be guided by Your Spirit to exhort and reprove with Biblical authority, if necessary, for the benefit of the Church and for Your greater praise and glory. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. Spiritual gifts can be over-exaggerated by some Christians while being understated by others. While some elevate the importance of spiritual gifts above their great salvation, others can diminish the tremendous benefits that are ours through the spiritual gifts we receive from the Lord. But it is important that Spiritual Gifts Are Used As God Determined. They are not to be abused, or used for self-gratification. Nor should someone exploit their gift, by trying to demonstrate their own superior spirituality! Spiritual gifts are sovereignly bestowed, to enable us to carry out the good work God has prepared for us to do. We all receive a spiritual gift, or gifts, but we do not choose our preferred spiritual gifts, from a heavenly catalog of options. Today it is the gift of pastors and teachers for which we should earnestly pray, so that the men and women who are gifted to teach, are raised up within the Body, and empowered by the Spirit to interpret the Scriptures and teach the truth of God's Word to the wider congregation. Like all believers, they are to use these greater gifts of pastor and teacher, for the benefit of ALL. May we determine in our hearts to earnestly desire the greater spiritual gifts within the Body of Christ, so that together we may grow in grace and learn to LOVE others as Christ loved us. Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts of the Spirit and the wide diversity of gifts and graces that You graciously bestow on all Your children. Thank You that we are members of the Body of Christ and that together, our diverse spiritual gifts can be exercised for the greater benefit of the whole Body. May we all grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus, and be enabled to provide edification for one another, as well as being edified by them. Thank You that we are not meant to live in spiritual isolation from other believers, but are a collective Body, that is being built up into the Temple of God. Enable us to exercise the spiritual gifts with which we have been endowed, for the greater benefit of the wider Body of Christ. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. Anything made or unmade, visible or unseen that is placed either before the Lord or alongside Him, is deemed to be an idol, for He will never share His honor with another. We read the following words from a well-loved hymn: "The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be, help me to tear it from Thy throne, and worship only Thee," which captures the essence of what comprises an idol in any age, anything and everything, anyone and everyone that lays equal or greater claim to our affection for Jesus, is our own, personal idol. But the same hymn spells out the remedy that helps us to guard against the erection of such idols in our own lives: "O for A Closer Walk With God, a calm and heavenly frame, a light to shine upon the road, that leads me to the Lamb!" Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we know how easy it is for people, possessions, things, activities and customs, to creep into our lives and push You from the throne of our lives. Help us to stay ever close to You in thought, word, and deed, knowing that only as You are lifted up on the throne of our lives, will the things of this world take their proper, subordinate place. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. Christ was the perfect example of what a perfect Man should be, but He had to learn obedience through all that He was called upon to suffer throughout His life, as He kept the goal of His calling forever in His sight. We who are saved by His blood, baptized into His death, and risen with Him into newness of the new life, are to always strive to be perfect as He is perfect. Christ was perfected through all that He had to suffer, and we too are to walk the same path of suffering. We Must Keep Our Eyes Fixed On Christ, our perfect example, and to learn obedience through all that we are called on to suffer for His sake. As we submit to the leading, guiding, and correction of the Holy Spirit, He will use all things, including our suffering and pain, to work together for good to His praise and glory, as did Christ our perfect, obedient, example: That I may be conformed into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we long to know Christ more and to know the power of His resurrected life in us. We pray that we may partake of all the sufferings in our lives in obedient submission to Your Spirit and that, day by day, we may be increasingly conformed into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. God's people can always find encouragement and comfort in the shadow of His wings. Those who trust in God have a great assurance that He will vindicate us in front of all who have purposed evil against us. Unlike the writer of this psalm, we are not under the Law. During this Church dispensation, we do not have to go to a particular place to meet the Lord. We do not have to go to the tent of meeting or the tabernacle of the Lord to worship our God. Our access to God is not limited to a time or feast day or participation in a religious ritual. As members of Christ's Body, we have the Spirit of peace and joy and can enter boldly into the room of grace, for mercy to find help in times of need. We need to realize that the antidote to despair and distress is Hope In The Lord, and we need to apply it to our life on a day-to-day basis. We need to know and appropriate all the precious promises that are ours in Christ, when we delight ourselves in the Lord and offer Him our sacrifice of praise, we reignite our trust in Him and as our faith increases so fear and depression will be forced to flee away. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, there is much in this fallen world that can drag us into depression and distress of souls, but our hope is in You, You are the Anchor of our souls and the Rock of our salvation. When our souls are inclined towards despair or when fear begins to creep into our hearts, we pray that we would hope in God, fix our minds on Jesus, trust You with all our hearts, and present our lives to you as sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Thank You that You are our God, the Lover of our souls, the Light of the world, and the joy of all the ends of the earth. Our hope is in You and we praise Your name forever and ever, AMEN. Once we are saved through faith, we are to live and grow and develop through faith. All we need to know about sanctifying faith for the saved man or woman is also found in the Scriptures. It is not to be found in nature, although that is certainly a demonstration of God's power. It is not to be found in a philosophy or denominational regulations. It is not to be found in the traditions of mankind or in a ritual ceremony. God's divine revelation is in His WORD, faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. Faith Is The Key that opens our understanding to the Christian life. We are to be SAVED by faith; to STAND by faith; to WALK by faith; to RUN by faith; to FIGHT the good fight of faith by faith; to PRAY by faith; to LIVE by faith. We are to do ALL that we do by our faith in Christ. The first step in our Christian life is simply to believe: "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Let us tell all we meet this simple, yet life changing truth. Let us not cloud the simplicity of the gospel with any of our human reasoning, rules, or regulations, but simply tell people who want to know how to be saved, by faith in the death and Resurrection of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Our United Prayer:
Loving Father, thank You, that You have written this uncomplicated, yet eternity defining truth in Your Word. Lord, everyone in history has to make the decision whether or not to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that many of our unsaved friends, family, and co-workers, would choose to trust Jesus for their salvation. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN. In this everyday world, the struggles and strivings in life have become an accepted 'norm'. This passage exposes the attitude of the majority, where a passion to accumulate wealth and the desire for more possessions, not only gives birth to greed and selfishness, but causes us to worry about things we need, strive for things we desire, crave things we want and fight to gain more 'things' in the roundabout of life. However, the truth of this verse is staggering, when once accepted and applied. Our minds should not cave into life's problems and perplexities, but should be fashioned in the likeness of the heavenly Father. Anxious thoughts and futile strivings, in their various disguises, is a sin that reflects unbelief in God's gracious promises of provision. How much more important that we should praise and thank God that we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and forgiven of the sins we commit. Let Us Seek FIRST The Kingdom Of God and His righteousness, by seeking Christ and setting the eyes of our heart on the beauty of the Lord Jesus and trusting Him in every circumstance of Life, even when we don't understand, for in doing so, the worry of the world will be replaced with the wisdom of the WORD, as our mind rests in Him. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Our United Prayer:
Father, You have shown us that every thought that comes into our minds can be turned to evil or good, worry or faith, defeat or victory. Thank You that we have access to the very mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Help us to take every thought captive by turning our hearts to the Lord Jesus. In seeking Him we will be seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, which is our bedrock of faith in God. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. This verse outlines the relationship between faith and works. It recognizes that there are some that profess to be Christians who do not have a saving faith, but there is also those that have a genuine saving faith but show little or no outward evidence of their justification. This verse admonishes all genuine Christians to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Every believer should be growing in grace, maturing in the faith, walking in spirit and truth, bringing forth the good works of righteousness which God Himself has prepared for us to do, in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we abide in Christ and He in us. We are encouraged to be quick to hear, faith comes by hearing and hearing by The Word Of God, but we should also be wise in our actions and circumspect in our reactions by being slow to speak and slow to anger, angry Christians do not achieve the righteousness of God. May we who have been rooted in Christ by grace through faith when we were saved, seek to be fruitful in our Christian walk, by bearing much fruit to the glory of God as we abide in Christ and He in us. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wise teachings in this verse. We realize how important it is to not only have a genuine faith by trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary, but to be fruitful Christians in words and in deeds. Keep us from slipping into worldly ways Lord. May we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as we abide in Him. May we bring forth much fruit to Your praise and glory. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. Although this verse was probably addressing the public ministry of the Word, in a day when the reading of personal scripture is being replaced with water-down and distorted audio-visual alternatives, all Christians should give heed to these instructions from Paul and make opportunities to engage in both the personal and public reading of Scripture as well as paying careful attention that what is preached and taught from the pulpit. Let us with discernment read and Study The Word Of God for ourselves as well as participating in a Christ-centered Church assembly. Let us search the scriptures diligently to ensure that any scriptural message we receive or offer is rooted and grounded in the word of truth, which was once given to the saints, for our learning and spiritual growth. Let us apply the Word of God in our lives daily, or we will find that we become disconnected from the only Source of our life and power. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truths that it contains. we pray that we would read, mark, learn and inwardly digest its truth so that we may conduct ourselves in a manner that is honoring to You and faithful to our positions in Christ. Give us discernment to know the truth and protect us from any teaching that has distorted the Word, this we Pray in Jesus name, AMEN. Many of the sins listed in this verse are connected with sins of speech. Anger often is expressed in spiteful words or a hostile attitude. Although there is a godly anger which grieves over wrongs, lawlessness, and sin, we should not become involved with the unrighteous anger expressed in this verse. Similarly, we are to abstain from ungodly wrath which implies an inappropriate verbal outburst, laced with evil intent. Malice in this verse suggests a violent temperament designed to do harm to others and can often be spawned from the build-up of anger or hatred, and it can often explode into a rage of Ungodly Thoughts Or Actions, while slander is connected with malicious lies, speaking evil of others, or even participating in gossip or spreading cruel rumors. The final part of verbal sins to avoid is 'abusive speech' which implies participation in disgusting, unclean, and obscene language. May we seek to put away all the things that dishonor the Lord. May the words we speak be honest and true. May our speech be wholesome and holy. May we speak the truth in love and live lives that honor our Father in heaven. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, how clearly this verse shows and tells us the shocking way that words that come from our lips can be so dishonoring to You and abusive to others. We pray that the words we speak and the meditation of our hearts may be honoring to Your holy name. May our words give encouragement to others and always be spoken in love. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. We have the Spirit of God and, under His guidance, should be in a position to examine, investigate, and inquire into difficult questions and discern all things because we are spiritual men and women. Being born of His Spirit gives us access to Godly Wisdom, and as spiritual men and women, we have the capacity to appraise all things. As spiritual beings with a God-given ability to 'judge all things' "He who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." As Spirit-directed beings, no one has the authority to judge our spirituality, even though they may criticize and mock us. It is by faith that we have the Spirit of God, and should appraise ourselves to see if we are in the faith, walking in spirit and truth, growing in grace, and maturing in our Christian witness. As believers, we not only have the Spirit of God in our heart, but the written Word of God in our possession, which is living, powerful, and will guide us in all truth. Each one of us should be capable of inquiring and scrutinizing the Word of Truth to understanding its content and apply it in our lives so we can appraise all things, are appraised by no one, and understand many mysteries of God which are revealed to us. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, what a great joy and privilege it is to know that our bodies are temples of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, We are enabled to judge all things and be appraised by no one. Keep us low at the Cross and ever open to the leading and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Prevent us from being enticed into the ways of the world or influenced by human wisdom. Guide us into all truth, we pray, as we stand firm on the unchangeable Word of Truth, and may the mind of Christ dwell in us richly. This we pray in His holy name, AMEN. The outward appearances of others may deceive us, but God Alone Understands The Heart. We may not even know the true content of our own heart, but the Lord our God knows what is in the heart of each one of us. We are all fallen creatures, and although we praise and thank God that we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, have been made a new creation in Him, and have been given His resurrected life, our old, fleshly nature lusts against our new-life-in-Christ and our new nature lusts against our old, fleshly, sinful self. As born again believers who are living in the dispensation of grace, we have the Holy Spirit in our heart. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He can never be taken away from us as used to happen in the dispensation of Law. Nevertheless, knowing that "the heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately wicked," we should examine our hearts to see if we are in the faith, to see if we are walking in spirit and truth, to see if we are trusting in anything other than the Lord Jesus. We should ask Him to search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us that needs to be cleansed and rooted out. Only God can fully know and understand our inner heart. May we submit to His purifying gaze and be ready and willing to say: "Purify my heart O Lord," no matter what it may cost. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your children and have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. Nonetheless, it is uncomfortable to realize that, like all, our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. We pray that You would search our hearts, our motives, our conscious thoughts, and even our unconscious imaginings, to see if there is anything in us that needs to be rooted out. Purify our hearts, we pray. Lord, we are so aware that these days, we are encouraged to follow the desires of our own hearts. May the deep desire of our hearts be to follow only You and Your leading, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN. As the days on earth get darker, and the trials and tribulations of this life can seem never-ending and overwhelming, we would do well to take this verse to heart. We are strangers, passing through this world on the way to our eternal, heavenly home and we can be assured that the best is, most certainly, yet to come. We who are in Christ, are called to keep our minds on things that are above and not to be influenced by the things of the earth. We are to live by Trusting In Jesus and not by trusting in our own abilities. Knowing that in this world we will have tribulation, troubles, and sorrows, we can rejoice that Christ has overcome the world. And we can look forward, with eager anticipation, to our priceless inheritance; a beautiful inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade away. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to keep the eyes of our hearts on Jesus and the glorious eternal inheritance that You have reserved for us and all who have trusted Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. As believers, we have all been blessed with every spiritual blessing from above and are instructed by the Word of God and through Church elders and Christian ministers, to Share Our Blessings, both material and spiritual, with others so that they in turn are enabled to rejoice in the Lord for His provision and go further afield themselves, to bless others who cross their path. Sowing and reaping blessings in this way, is a biblical principle that benefits both the giver and the one that receives, as well as honoring the Lord our God from Whom all blessings flow. A beautiful way of doing this, is to go out into the world to share with others truths that we ourselves have learned in our Christian life. May we seek to sow to the Spirit by investing our time, talent, money, material possessions, gifts, and godly graces wisely. May our offerings be carried out in ways that honor the Lord, by ministering to others as God desires so that we may lay up for ourselves spiritual treasure in heaven, knowing that the things of this world will all pass away while the things of value are permanently laid up in heaven, for those that love the Lord and walk in spirit and in truth. Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are not islands, but members of Christ's Body and part of the universal Christian Church. May we go out and share the good news of the gospel, giving freely of our time, talents, money, and knowledge. May we be a blessing to others, knowing that we too have been blessed by those who have taught us. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. The sleeping child needs to be sheltered by his father, the weary child needs to be carried. The hungry child needs the father's provision of food to sustain him, while the wandering child needs to be sought after, brought home, and shown great understanding. The disobedient child needs to be chastened, and the child that is wounded and afraid needs the loving compassion that can only come from the heart of a father who truly cares for the child of his love. The loving compassion of every earthly father is completely eclipsed by the tender-hearted pity and grace that God shows to each of His own. He knows our various weaknesses. He knows our human frame, our inner frailties. Yet in His mercy and grace, He has rescued us from a miry pit and bestowed on us such riches of His grace, that we should be forever glorifying His holy name. Let us never fail to bless the Lord with our whole being, and not forget all His benefits. He pardons all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion, and satisfies our years with good things. Let us never forget that just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on all of us who fear Him - and He is worthy to receive ALL the honor and praise, forever and ever. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that you are such a wonderful, compassionate Father to all Your blood-bought children. Thank You that You know our inner frailties. We praise and thank You for the many benefits and graces that You bestow on us day by day and moment by moment. Thank You for the loving care you have towards us and for the many benefits that are ours, by faith in Jesus. May we never hold these things lightly and bless Your holy name for Your goodness and grace. This we pray in Jesus' name, AMEN. |
Prayer
We are a growing group of people praying daily for and with others. We were led to start an online ministry to deliver what is needed more now than ever, a place where you can go to easily to submit a prayer request or requests involving others to pray for your needs. The Power of Prayer. Matthew 18:20- For where two or more come together in my name, there I am among them. You are never alone in prayer. The Power Of Numbers Praying.
We ask you to pray for this ministry, for its success in helping others in need of prayer. Archives
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