Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
At one time we too were … enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.
Summary: The road to freedom is a beautiful adventure. The end of the road is the beginning of a new life in heaven. Meanwhile, here on earth, we can be free of the shackles of the desires of the flesh.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (e) — The Road to Freedom”
Remind the people … to be ready to do whatever is good …
Summary: The meaning of the word “good” depends on whose point-of-view you are talking about. Worldly good is about pleasing the flesh. Spiritual good is about pleasing God.
Continue reading “Titus 3:1 (d) — Do Good”
… not to talk back to them …
Summary: Authority in others is a difficult thing for us to accept. Whether legitimate or not, we tend to bridle when told what to do. Yet God’s Word teaches us not to talk back to them.
Continue reading “Titus 2:9 (c) — Footsteps”
… to try to please them …
Summary: Life is full of difficult situations. People are people and without God’s love in their heart they are often unpleasant to be around and serve. Yet it is God’s will that we try to please them.
Continue reading “Titus 2:9 (b) — Serving God”
Then they can urge the younger women… to be … pure…
Summary: Times have changed and so have our cultural norms. The timeless concepts presented in God’s Word may sound unsophisticated to the modern ear.
Continue reading “Titus 2:5 (b) — Another Word for “Holy””
Teach the older men to be … sound … in endurance.
Summary: The word endurance can refer to something you have done (i.e. – He endured a difficult moment) or it can refer to an ongoing process (i.e. – His endurance kept him going at it day after day). Paul wants us to learn both, but he is talking about the second kind in today’s passage.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (h) — Humbled by Gravity”
Teach the older men to be … sound … in faith
Summary: Faith is a word that has a special meaning for Christians. It describes not only our relationship with an unseen God, it also describes our confidence in God.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (f) — Going Up”
They must be silenced …
Summary: The NIV translates “epistomizō” as “must be silenced.” In English, that phrase is open to broad interpretation. Looking to Jesus helps us understand Paul’s intent.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (a) — Shush!”
For there are many rebellious people …
Summary: Understanding what Paul means by “rebellious people is difficult. It is probable that his only concern is protecting the purity of the Gospel.
Continue reading “Titus 1:10 (a) — Rebellion Defined”
… so that he can encourage others …
Summary: We live in an imperfect world. Sometimes our words go astray or are misused. We need encouragement in the struggle against darkness. God’s Word provides us with a bright hope in dark times.
Continue reading “Titus 1:9 (c) — Bright Hope, Dark Times”