Titus 1:5-9 (Day 2)

Titus’s Task on Crete

 ⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. ⁶ An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Commentary
and my thoughts : )

1:5 - The organization of the Cretan church was unfinished because of the brevity of Paul's visit and Titus was asked to straighten out the situation with the elders in every town.
Wow, I think I would loose it! That's a lot of pressure and I melt when thinking about teaching junior church :(

1:6-8 - Elders/overseeres are to be

1. Blameless - "unreprovable" 2x b/c we're stewards of God's reputation.
2. Husband of but one wife - probably = only married once.
3. Have his own household under control - discipline & positive spiritual influences
4. Believing children who lived godly lives

Must NOT be

1. Overbearing - arrogant, self-willed
2. Quick tempered
3. Violent
4. Given to much wine
5. Pursuing dishonest gain

Must BE

1. Hospitable
2. One who loves what is good
3. Self-controled
4. Upright (just)
5. Holy
6. Disciplined 

Ok, first of all, that's one intense list. The fact that a lot of preachers and leaders don't live up to God's standard is probably the reason why the Church is where it's at. That being said - the same is true of me. I for certain am not blameless, holy, or disciplined. I feel very far from these areas right now. And I can be extremely overbearing, and quick tempered. :( I'm a steward of God's reputation too . . . 

1-9 - "As it has been taught" in Greek is supposed to come first for emphasis. An elder s a conservator of the truth, one who must understand it, hold it fast, encourage others by teaching it and refute those who oppose it.

      Jesus, I know I'm not an elder, but I am a disciple. These words aren't true of my life and I want to have a change of heart and conduct with them. Help me to be blameless, holy, and more disciplined. Help me to turn toward You when I want to be overbearing or quick tempered. Produce in me a quiet and gentle spirit and a mouth that speaks words of wisdom and kindness. Make me the woman You want me to be. And help me stick with the process. Amen.

Titus 1:1-4 (Day 1)

Greetings from Paul

 ¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. ² This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. ³ And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

 ⁴ I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. 

   May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

Commentary

And my thoughts :)

1:1 - "the faith of God's elect" (Romans 8:33; Col 3:12).

• Both of these verses talk about how God has chosen us. Which reminds of of 1 Peter 2 when it talks about us being "a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God." I think the biggest part of this is - If this is how God views me: set-apart and special for Him - than I ought to live like it. Which is the reason Paul is writing to Titus: to teach us how to live godly lives. 

"and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Tim 2:23; 3:7).

• God's goal for my life is not only Salvation, but Sanctification: becoming like Jesus. Holy.
• I view Sanctification as a beautiful dance between knowledge of the truth and repentance: The Word of God convicts us with it's Truth - leading us to repentance, a "change in heart and conduct" which enables Truth to be lived out in our lives. It's one of the many ways that God's Word is "living and active."
• The danger however, is that you can be "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." I think this is where my headline comes into play: The Word of God is REVELATION. It is TRUTH not information. A PERSON not facts. I struggle with this a lot because I'm so used to studying for school. I have to constantly remind myself that this isn't so I can pass some test on all the facts, but so that the Holy Spirit can change me in such a way that can only happen if I'm reading Jesus. Maybe I'll start calling it that. Not bible study, . . . but Jesus Reading :) <3

1:2-3 "Resting on" should actually be "with a view to" (Ephesians 2:10). Paul's focus in all his ministry was with a view to eternal life.

     Jesus, I want to thank You for giving us Your word. Giving us the tools we need to allow Your sanctifying work to be completed. Help me in my prayer life and help me continue to start my day in You by reading the Word. Help me to get up when I need to and to live out what You teach me. I pray that as time goes on, I'll need it like I need air or food. I pray that through earnestly seeking You and Your presence my ear will be more readily turned toward You and I may more easily recognize Your voice. In Your amazing Name I pray. Amen.

From Here On Out (written yesterday)

I'm really unhappy with the amount of time I spend in Scripture. I feel like a big problem is unaccountability, and having to wake up early to make sure it happens but that's no excuse - Jesus' love should be more than enough.

So here's the plan:

Read a book/chapter (depends on length) each morning.

Then study one section a morning and blog my notes, feelings, refections about it.

Even if I don't have anything huge to say, I can still praise Him. Am I right?

I started in Titus today :)

Jesus, I'm so sorry that I've let things get this far. I don't have a desire for Your Word - at least no where near like what I read in the Psalms or feel I should have. I pray that You plant it in me Father. I pray that You help me to make seeking You out through Your Word a TOP priority and that You help me make the necessary steps to make that happen. In Your wonderful Name, my Savior my God.