Mid-Week Message - Needing Each Other

 "These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."  Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)

These verses came to mind the other day while I was in the shower and I knew they were meant for this week's message.  I immediately began thinking about what I would say.  Then, as I was reciting my words out loud, I thought, "I can't use those verses!  I will alienate people!"  However, if God places it on my heart, it is for a reason that maybe I don't need to understand.  

I am well aware that the times we are living in are far different than they were in Bible times.  Women don't just stay at home cleaning house and cooking anymore.  And being "submissive" to anyone is looked down upon by more than just a few.  But I don't think that is why the Lord brought these verses before me.  

It used to be that we were involved in each other's lives.  We drew encouragement and knowledge from each other.  When we had a problem, we had plenty of people to turn to.  Churches used to be the source of help for families in trouble.  We knew our neighbors.  We could walk down the street and chat with each other by name.  Don't you miss that?

God created us to need each other.  But today we are being isolated more and more by technology and busy lifestyles.  Every moment is scheduled and when we do have downtime, we are in front of a screen of some kind.  We don't sit out on our porches and greet passersby and we don't turn to other Christians for assistance.  We "google" what we need to know or turn to an online community full of people we will never even meet face to face.

Although these verses reference women, the same is true for men teaching the younger men.  Older individuals have a lot to offer because of the years they have lived and all they have experienced.  I remember well the days when I had a young child that wouldn't sleep, or was teething or sick and I thought I would never make it through or that I must not be a good mom.  It would have been wonderful to have someone older step in and give me some reassurance and maybe a good healthy dose of advice.  That is what the scripture refers to.  We need to lift each other up and it is impossible to do that if we aren't even aware of what is going on in the lives around us.  We need to step out of our isolation and into each other's lives again.  

It is hard to communicate all I am thinking and feeling in limited space.  Hopefully you were able to catch the gist of it.  I wish for you, and for all of us, an expanding list of God-blessed relationships with those we both learn from and teach.  It is a basic need that God instilled in each of us.  Much love to you.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - The Virtues of Character

While I was driving to take care of some errands, I ran across a roadside sign that caught my attention. On it was a quote from the American novelist and short story writer, James Lane Allen. It read, “Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.”

As I continued to drive, that quote began to bounce around not only in my mind but also in my heart. That quote really struck me deeply. I really thought about the words. I began to apply it to Christian faith and our daily walk and life with the Lord.

As we go through difficult situations, character is not something we build in order to face problems. If we relied on ourselves and what we possess in our character, most of us would just run away or curl up and die.

When Job faced his problems, the loss of his wealth, children and his livestock and boils all over his body, he sat scraping his skin while sitting in piles of garbage and ashes. His wife, after seeing all of the things that had happened, did not even try to console him. She abruptly said this in Job 2, “9 Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

A lot of us would just give up and let the vultures and other animals feed on us as we slowly died. Or, we would look to others for help knowing that they could not help us. That would happen if we looked to ourselves for the strength to go on and for the courage to stand up and fight. 

In Proverbs 25, the author writes these words, “19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.”

Relying on someone else who is equally frail and unable to help is truly like “chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.” Our friends who are very dear to us cannot really do that much for us. Do not get me wrong. I appreciate their words of encouragement and their empathy. It is most welcome. Just talking with them does help as we voice our feelings and thoughts.

When I share my feelings and thoughts, I am not looking for a solution. I am just expressing what I am feeling and thinking. No one can give me a solution. All real solutions can only come from God. God can speak those words through someone, but the mere words of a man or woman cannot give us the direction we need. It is only God’s direction and plans for us that will get us through our difficulties. 

You notice that I am not relying even on myself. When I go through a horrible walk through the valley of darkness, I seek the Lord and His way. In Proverbs 3, the author, once again, tells us about relying on ourselves and our own knowledge and understanding, “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

When you consider the wisdom of Proverbs, you see that you cannot depend on yourself or rely on the help of others. It just will not work. Neither will help you in your time of need. You have to rely on someone bigger and greater than yourself. That means you have to rely on Him and Him only.

In his epistle to Titus, Paul writes, “7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”

As Christians, we must set an example of integrity and seriousness in all that we do. These character traits do not just simply appear. They come from God as He works in our lives. As these traits are nurtured and cultivated, we are to become the example for others. By not relying on our own understanding and seeking His will in our life, we develop our character. As we persevere through life’s problems, we see that our character is revealed not only to us but also to those of the world.

In John 15, Jesus puts this into a context that the disciples could easily understand. He tells them, “5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

Unless we have Jesus in our lives, we are not able to produce the fruit that God wants us to produce. We become barren and devoid of the fruits of the spirit. When we become useless, there is nothing left for us. The barren, cutoff vines that are useless are gathered, piled and burned. 

By realizing our character traits come from God and using them in accordance to His will, we are able to produce much fruit, be examples to others in times of trouble and trial and, most importantly, bring great glory to our Father. We may lack the strength to even go on or to fight the good fight, but remember the words of Jesus, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

When we trust in God and in our savior, Christ Jesus, we know that when times do get rough, our character will be revealed to the world and they will see the glory of the Father reflected in our life as we persevere and continue to, as Paul counseled Timothy in his first epistle to the young man of faith, “12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”

When we face problems of varying severity that will invariable come up, our true character will be revealed and will be the example to the world that God and His son, Jesus, are working in our lives daily. We will soon discover that we can, through the power and love of our Heavenly Father, stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Titus 2:11-14

Titus 2:11-14 New International Version (NIV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Daily Word of God - Titus 2:11-14

Titus 2:11-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Daily Word of God - Titus 1:7-9

Titus 1:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 A church leader[a] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,[b] violent, or dishonest with money.

8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Footnotes:
1:7a Or An overseer, or A bishop.
1:7b Greek must not drink too much wine.

Mid-Week Message - Created to Need Others

"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."  Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)

These verses came to mind the other day while I was in the shower and I knew they were meant for this week's message.  I immediately began thinking about what I would say.  Then, as I was reciting my words out loud, I thought, "I can't use those verses!  I will alienate people!"  However, if God places it on my heart, it is for a reason that maybe I don't need to understand.  

I am well aware that the times we are living in are far different than they were in Bible times.  Women don't just stay at home cleaning house and cooking anymore.  And being "submissive" to anyone is looked down upon by more than just a few.  But I don't think that is why the Lord brought these verses before me.  

It used to be that we were involved in each other's lives.  We drew encouragement and knowledge from each other.  When we had a problem, we had plenty of people to turn to.  Churches used to be the source of help for families in trouble.  We knew our neighbors.  We could walk down the street and chat with each other by name.  Don't you miss that?

God created us to need each other.  But today we are being isolated more and more by technology and busy lifestyles.  Every moment is scheduled and when we do have downtime, we are in front of a screen of some kind.  We don't sit out on our porches and greet passersby and we don't turn to other Christians for assistance.  We "google" what we need to know or turn to an online community full of people we will never even meet face to face.

Although these verses reference women, the same is true for men teaching the younger men.  Older individuals have a lot to offer because of the years they have lived and all they have experienced.  I remember well the days when I had a young child that wouldn't sleep, or was teething or sick and I thought I would never make it through or that I must not be a good mom.  It would have been wonderful to have someone older step in and give me some reassurance and maybe a good healthy dose of advice.  That is what the scripture refers to.  We need to lift each other up and it is impossible to do that if we aren't even aware of what is going on in the lives around us.  We need to step out of our isolation and into each other's lives again.  

It is hard to communicate all I am thinking and feeling in limited space.  Hopefully you were able to catch the gist of it.  I wish for you, and for all of us, an expanding list of God-blessed relationships with those we both learn from and teach.  It is a basic need that God instilled in each of us.  Much love to you.

Daily Word of God - Titus 1:15-16

Titus 1:15-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 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 corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

Daily Word of God - Titus 2:2

Titus 2:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Daily Word of God - Titus 1:9

Titus 1:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Answers Inside - Paul

Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)

4 But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.