{Reading The Book of Titus~Week 9}

The Church is Entrusted with the Truth of the Gospel: The church is Called to Holy Living

God called Paul as an apostle, He sent him as a messenger of Jesus Christ and entrusted him with that gospel. The word “entrusted” sticks out to me in this first chapter. I remember in 2 Timothy that Paul told Timothy to entrust the gospel to faithful men.

“The things which you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

In this letter to Titus, I believe Paul to be doing the same thing. He has left Titus on the Isle of Crete and entrusted him to set in order what remained or correct the wrong doctrine and practices of the churches. According to chapter 1:10-13 Paul already knew about these men who needed to be corrected and he describes them as:

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{Reading the Book of 2 Timothy}

Guarding The Treasure: The Good News of Salvation

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14

The days of Paul’s ministry are coming to an end. He finds himself in a cold cell {4:13} in chains {2:9}with no hope of deliverance {4:6}. According to 2 Timothy 1:15 all who were in Asia turned away from Paul except Onesiphorus who refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chains.

Paul is penning the last letter he will be guided to write. He addresses it to Timothy his true child in the faith. He encourages Timothy but at the same time urges him to stand firm in the faith, and to join him in suffering for the gospel. He exhorts him not to be ashamed of the gospel  nor to be ashamed of him because he is in chains.  I can hear him speaking to Timothy as a father or mother speaks to his or her own child as he says these words,  “Timothy I am in prison but the gospel of Jesus Christ is not imprisoned it is not chained. I am enduring all things for the sake of the elect, those chosen by God before the foundation of the world so that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy, the gospel must be preached for the sake of the elect. Do not be timid, kindle afresh the spiritual gift that has been given to you and go forth with the true gospel of Jesus Christ.”

{Reading the Book of Philippians week~3}

Joy on the journey: An Attitude LIKE CHRIST

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Paul begins this letter to the church at Philippi with an attitude of Joy. While confined in the walls of prison Paul still found great joy in writing this letter to his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He was not looking at his present circumstance for he knew that it would turn out for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knows and understands that his imprisonment is for the cause of Christ. Paul’s heart beat  for the cause of Christ and he welcomed whatever that meant.  Whether it be  living in prosperity, being filled or  being hungry, having abundance and suffering.  He knew he had the strength of Jesus Christ to do all things that God called him to do.  What a Christ-like attitude!

{Reading the Book of Ephesians~Week 2}

Put on your armor because the church is under attack!

Paul went to Ephesus on his third missionary journey. He spent three years in this city preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. God was performing extraordinary miracles  through the hands of Paul. Many believed and were confessing and disclosing their ungodly practices, witchcraft being  one we learn about in Acts 19:17-20. We see in this same passage that many who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of everyone. The word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

{Would You Like to Know Where Your Mind is Taking You?}

What is the mark of a true believer? Do you ever ask yourself this question? If you ask yourself this question where do you go to find the answer? Today we will look at Romans 8:5-11 to answer the question, “what is the mark of a true believer?” Looking at Romans 8:5-11 also answers the third question, “where do I go to find out what a true believer looks like?” The answer, the Word of God. I also want to add the Word of God is the only reliable place we can get our information. God has graciously and with a warning gave us everything we need to know.  We are without excuse. Placed between Paul’s worship of Christ and His setting the believer  free from their condemnation of sin he briefly stops to give  a picture of a true believer and an unbeliever.