Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… upright …
Summary: Words create images in our mind and many words come from images in real life. “Upright” is one of those words. A fence post is a good example. It either leans or is upright. From that we garner a lesson on what it means to be “upright.”
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (d) — Fence Post”
… who is self-controlled …
Summary: Remote-control is a great thing when it comes to toys. It is not so great when it comes to people. God offers us freedom from Evil’s remote-control over our lives. All we need is Jesus.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (c) — Little Robots”
… one who loves what is good …
Summary: Analytical personalities are not often gifted with the ability to “see” with the heart. Yet an overseer of God’s church must be able to do that, and to love what is good.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (b) — Eyes of the Heart”
Rather, he must be hospitable …
Summary: Hospitable is a word that may best be understood by looking at its opposite. Then there are other qualities that need to be considered to ensure that one’s hospitable nature is genuine.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (a) — The Genuine Thing”
… not pursuing dishonest gain.
Summary: Peter’s requirements for an overseer begin with six traits to watch out for. Two of these traits are not like the others. Doing things that earn blame and pursuing dishonest gain both require effort and reveal a heart focused on material things instead of the things of God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (g) — Bookends”
… not violent …
Summary: Paul has laid out a description of what marks a man as unfit for managing God’s household. By applying deductive logic, we can surmise why this is and what is needed to transform a man into someone ready for service.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (f) — Mark of the Maker”
… not given to drunkenness …
Summary: Paul continues with his discourse on what to avoid in a church leader, especially an overseer. All we have to do now is figure out what he means by “not given to drunkenness.”
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (e) — Clothespins & Wine”
…not quick-tempered…
Summary: Paul’s letter compares things we should not do with things a believer should do. We then look at the first “not” on Paul’s list. A godly person, one who is qualified to be an overseer, is not quick-tempered.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (d) — Paul’s Scale”
[Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless] —not overbearing …
Summary: Paul’s letter provides instructions for a mature believer in Christ to recognize other mature believers. In those who are mature leaders will be found.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (c) — Christians with “a Peel””
[Since an overseer] manages God’s household…
Summary: There is a lot required to manage our own households. How much more is needed to manage God’s household? The answer depends on how serious we are about serving God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (b) — Help Wanted”