Healthy Doctrine (Titus 2:1)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-18-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Healthy doctrine

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 2:1

 

            Message of the verse:  “1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.”  (NAS95)  “But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.”  (NLT)

            Paul has just written to Titus about false teachers who have false doctrines in the latter part of chapter one.  He starts out this chapter with the word “but,” because he wants to change course on his writings.  He is saying to Titus “but you set the example to your church by teaching and living by sound, or healthy doctrine.”  The doctrine that the false teachers was teaching was unhealthy doctrine, and unhealthy doctrine will cause a person to be ill, and could send them to hell if they follow this unhealthy doctrine that causes a person to reject the Lord Jesus Christ’s free offer for salvation.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The only way to learn about healthy doctrine is to study about it from the Word of God.  As stated before in order to know about false or unhealthy doctrine you must know healthy doctrine so well that you will be able to spot the unsound doctrine.  Looking at the real thing makes a person realize the false when they come in contact with it. 

 

The Word of God was refreshing and challenging to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to be used of the Lord to be a good wittiness to Mike and Sharon while they are staying here.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God?

More on False Teachers from Titus 1:16

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-16-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  More on false teachers

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:16

 

            Message of the verse:  “16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”  (NAS95)  “16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live.  They are despicable and disobedient, worthless, for doing anything good.”  (NLT)

            A good verse to go along with this verse is 1John 2:4, “4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”  A Person who is truly born again will have a desire to live a life that is pleasing to God and thus will obey the commandments of the Lord out of love for the Savior and out of obedience to Him for paying the cost of his sins at Calvary.  Jesus said that you could know a tree by the kind of fruit that it produces, and in the same way you can know a person by the fruit that he produces.  These false teachers were not producing godly fruit, so Paul warns Titus not to listen to them.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  In 2Corinthians 13 Paul warns that Church to check and make sure that they are truly in to body of Christ.  This is godly advice, as it comes from His Word, and it does go along with the verse I am studying in Titus.  I can also learn from this section that I am not to get around false teachers so that I could be worn down by their false teachings.  John says in one of his letters that we as believers are not allowed to let them enter into your house.

 

The Word of God challenged me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to get along with my wife better than I did yesterday.  I need the filling of the Lord’s Spirit to accomplish this each day.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord requires of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God?

 

 

 

 

How's My Conscience Working? (Titus 1:15)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-15-02

 

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  How’s my conscience working?

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:15

 

            Message of the verse:  “15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.”  (NAS95)  “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.  But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.”  (NLT)

            I am not sure about what Paul is saying in this verse.  It could go back to verse fourteen where Paul had been speaking about Jewish myths.  It could be referring to the OT and it’s meaning about being pure.  I would say that both of these thoughts were in Paul's mind when he wrote this verse. 

            A believer is pure because of the Lord’s work on Calvary.  A believer can see good in things that an unbeliever cannot see.  I think of Roman 8:28 where Paul says that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called for His purposes.  Understanding this verse helps me to see good in things that may not seem good. 

            Unbelievers can distort even good things because their consciences are defiled, and therefore cannot see things clearly.  They have no filter to filter good and evil.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I need to make sure that I fill my mind with things of the Lord and His Word so that I can see the Lord working in my life.  I need to realize that not all things are good, however the Lord will work them out for good.

 

The Word of God was first a bit confusing to me, but then the Spirit of the Lord began to make sense of it as I dug deeper into His Word.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord with the outcome of this bout of IBS that I am going through at this time.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

More Teaching on False Prophets (Titus 1:14)

SPIRITUALL DIARY FOR 10-14-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  More on false teachers

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:14

 

            Message of the verse:  “14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.” (NAS95)  “They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned their backs on the truth.”  (NLT)

            Paul is speaking of the Jewish false teachers who were teaching “myths” to the people of this Cretan Church.  These false teachers have turned their backs on the truths of Scripture and were teaching lies.  Most of the false teachers of this time period were Jewish and the OT prophet Isaiah and the Lord Jesus Christ had much to say about them.  “13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,”  (Isaiah 29:13) See also Matthew 15:1-9 & Mark 7:5-13.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I may think that the things that Paul was talking about do not apply to my life on a day-by-day basis, but there are things that certainly do get in my way of proper worship of the Lord.  Some of these things may not be practices from the Scripture but could be traditions.  This is why it is so important for me to continue to study the Word of God each and every day, to learn from those who preach and teach at our Church too.

 

The Word of God brought insights and wisdom to my life today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I do not want to be controlled by fear today, only the fear of the Lord.  I would pray that this vacation that we are on will be good for both of us.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God?

 

 

 

 

The Task for Titus (Titus 1:13)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-13-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The task of Titus

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:13

 

            Message of the verse:  13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,” (NAS95) “This is true.  So rebuke them as sternly as necessary to make them strong in the faith.”  (NLT)

            I must say that I have a problem understanding exactly what this verse means.  Paul is speaking to Titus about false teachers if I understand this section correctly.  He tells Titus that there has even been a heathen poet who wrote some unkind things about the people of Crete. (See verse 12)  Now in this verse Paul tells Titus that what he wrote about them is true and that it would be his job to rebuke them so that they might be strong in their faith.  I would have to say that he must have been talking about those in the church when he says, “rebuke them.”

 

            John MacArthur writes in his study Bible on this verse about the words “sound in the faith.”  “True and pure doctrine was to be required of all who spoke to the church.  Any who fell short of that were to be rebuked.”

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am sure that there are many times when I need to be rebuked from wrong thinking, and I would believe that the Lord would be the One who would set this in motion.  The Lord disciplines those of who are His, and by His grace and mercy, through the propitiation of Jesus Christ, I am one of His sons.

 

The Word of God brought conviction to me this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I am in much need of the Lord’s strength in my life today as Sandy and I travel to the cabin that we have rented for the next six days.  The Lord has said, my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  I claim this promise for my life today.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the Lord requires of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

 

False Prophets of Crete (Titus 1:10-12)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-11-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Cretan false prophet

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:12

 

            Message of the verse:  “12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’”  (NAS95)  “One of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, ‘the people of Crete are all liars; the are cruel animals and lazy gluttons.’”

            This was a quote from possibility and early poem which was describing the people of Crete.  Perhaps Paul was quoting this to show Titus the need of his teaching and preaching and also the kind of people he is working with there.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today: I think that sometimes as believers we can learn things from what people have said and get them mixed up with what the Bible has to say.  This is probably not what was happening here, but it does happen in today’s Church.

 

The Word of God has reminded me that it is the only source of real truth.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord with all of my heart and not lean on my own understanding.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

            I cannot seem to find a SD on verses 10-11 which state “10  For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11  who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”  It seems to me that Paul is contrasting Elders with these men that he is writing about in verses 10-16, which ends the chapter.  John MacArthur writes the following on verses 10-16 in his study Bible:  “The false teachers in the Cretan churches were much like those with whom Timothy had to deal in Ephesus (see 1 Tim. 1:3-7; cf Rom. 16:17, 18; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).”   

Elder's Qualifications Continued (Titus 1:9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-09-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Elders qualifications continued

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:9

 

            Message of the verse:  “9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  (NAS95)  “He must have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with right teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.”  (NLT)

            This verse concludes the qualifications of the Elder.  He must hold fast to the Scripture and the doctrines that are in it.  He must be able to teach this sound doctrine to those in his Church, and he must be able to refute those who oppose this sound doctrine.  To understand the doctrine, to teach the doctrine, to defend the doctrine in the Scriptures are his job.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  It is easier to not defend the Word than to defend the Word.  It is far better to defend the Word than not to defend it.

 

The Word of God has reminded me to defend it.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Not to be fearful, and to defend the Word of God.

 

 

Memory verses for the seek:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

More Elder's Qulifications (Titus 1:8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-08-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Elder’s qualifications continued

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:8

 

            Message of the verse:  “8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,” (NAS95)  “He must enjoy having guests in his home and must love all that is good.  He must live wisely and be fair.  He must live a devout and disciplined life.”  (NLT)

            The NLT version brings to light what this verse is all about in a way that is more understandable to me.  The elder must enjoy having guest in his home, and he must love and surround himself with things that are good, like good books, good music, and other things that are good for himself and his family.  He must live a wise life and be fair to all he comes in contact with.  His life must be devout and disciplined, as he stays close with the Lord and His Word for direction in living this kind of life.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I need to accomplish some of these things in my walk with the Lord each and every day.  To be disciplined and to surround myself with good things is also something I need to be better at.

 

The Word of God has showed me conviction and direction today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  The words in Micah 6:8 fit well with this verse as to get direction in my life so that I can serve the Lord better.  I do not want to live in fear.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

A Steward (Titus 1:7)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-07-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus: A Steward

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:7

 

            Message of the verse:  “7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,”

            “An elder must live a blameless life because he is God’s minister.  He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money.”

            The overseer or bishop is a steward of God, in other words he does not own but is in charge of the things of the Lord, mainly overseeing the Church of God.  God is the One in charge and has appointed the overseer to take care of it.  As the NLT says of the overseer he must be blameless, perfectly going towards perfection, and not sinless.  He must not always be the one who gets his own way, but listen to others around him.  He must not have an unruly temper, and not ever be controlled by alcohol or wine, or even drugs.  He must not be a lover of money so that it would cause him to compromise his ministry. 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The NLT says that an elder or overseer must not be arrogant.  There have been to many times in my life when I have not given glory to the Lord for the blessings that he has entrusted me with, but thought that because I worked hard for them that I was the one who provided them for my family and myself.  This is wrong and sinful thinking because the Word of God speaks to this when it says, “ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  (James 1:17)

 

The Word of God brought conviction to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to remember that I am a steward of the living God, and all that I have is His, for “Jesus Paid it All, and all to Him I owe.”

 

Memory verse for the week:  Micah 6:8

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Elders Qulifications (Titus 1:6)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-05-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Elder’s qualifications cont.

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:6

 

            Message of the verse:  “6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.”

            “Above reproach” does not mean perfect, for no one is perfect.  It does mean that the elder must have a good reputation in his home, Church, and community.  He must be a one-woman man both inwardly, and outwardly.  He must lead his children to the Lord and they must act and behave like the believers that they are.  The children must not be “accused of dissipation or rebellion.”  They must not be wild or rebellious.

           

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The loving of my wife must be done both inwardly and outwardly, meaning I must not think of other women in a way that would be harmful to my wife or my marriage.

 

The Word of God was convicting to my heart today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I need to trust the Lord to keep my heart and my mind clean and pure by confessing any sin and protecting it with the spiritual armor of God.

 

Memory verse for the week:  2Timothy 4:18

 

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever more.  Amen!

              

The Responisbilities of Titus (Titus 1:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-04-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Titus’ responsibilities

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:5

 

            Message of the verse:  “5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,”

            Crete is an island at the mouth of the Aegean Sea, which is actually part of the Mediterranean Sea.  It lies south of Greece and is hundred by thirty-five miles. 

            The Jews who live there and had attended Pentecost described in Acts chapter two probably founded the Church.  Paul left Titus there to appoint and ordain qualified leaders in the Church.  The words “set in order” were used to describe the setting of a broken bone, so this could lead us to believe that there was some trouble there.  At the end of the verse Paul told Titus that he had directed him to appoint these elders, which Paul had the authority to do because he was an apostle.

           

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Paul was able to trust Titus to do the things that he had directed him to do.  Trust is an important quality in a person life, and I would hope that I would continue to strive to be a trustworthy person in my walk with the Lord.

 

The Word of God has reminded me to strive to be a trustworthy person.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I need to continue to work on not fearing situations, and also to keep my mind pure and on the Lord and His Word.

 

Memory verse for the week:  2Timithy 4:18

 

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever.  Amen!

             

Titus: A True Child in the Faith (Titus 1:4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-03-02

 

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  Titus:  a true child in the faith

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 1:4

 

            Message of the verse:  “4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”

            This verse concludes the greeting to Titus from Paul.  Paul calls Titus a true child in common faith.  Titus was a true believer and had the faith that was common to all who have ever been believers of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Paul goes on to write about grace and peace that is only available from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Paul uses similar greetings in most of the letters he has written to emphasize the grace and peace that believers have through God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

            Titus was Greek, and one of Paul’s most trusted friends in the Lord.  He went with Paul on a couple of his missionary trips and also went to Corinth to help settle some of the problems that were going on there.  Paul had a great love for both Timothy and Titus and mentions Titus in the last recorded letter he wrote, 2Timothy.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I think of the common faith that I have because of the grace and mercy of God the Father and the work on the cross of Jesus Christ my Savior, and it is the same faith that Paul had and all of the other believers in the early Church.  Because I live almost 2000 years after the cross it is easy to take all of this for granted, however blood, the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and also the blood of many of the early believers started the Church.  I do not want to forget this price that they paid so that this faith could be given to me.

 

The Word of God was insightful to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To remember the privilege that I have because of the cost of the Lord Jesus Christ and the early saints.  To thank God for His grace and mercy he has extended to me.

 

Memory verse for the week:  2Timothy 4:18

 

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever.  Amen!