Today we also finish up Paul’s letter to Titus! The very short letter to Philemon begins tomorrow. The first couple verses of Titus chapter 3 are interesting to me – "Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone." Paul is reminding the church at that time to submit to governmental authority – to be obedient. And to do what is good. This reminds me of Jesus saying in the Gospels – "give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. And to God what is God." So, there does certainly seem to be a call to be good citizens of the communities we live in – as we strive to be good citizens of the kingdom of God simultaneously. Do you think these two can happen simultaneously? Or are there points where there may be a conflict between our obedience to God and obedience to the world’s civil laws & governments?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings titled "Instructions to Live as Good Citizens in the World" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Lincoln Brewster’s song "Today is the Day!" Here is a great live version of this song:
Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Titus chapter 2 today is full of great wisdom from Paul! Please let these verses sink in. Verse 14 stands out: "He (Jesus) 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 what is right." Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right? Has Jesus’ life, death and resurrection freed you from sin?
In Titus 2:11 we read: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.” Do you believe this? What does God’s grace mean to you? How have you experienced God’s grace in your life? Has God’s grace brought salvation to your life?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Titus titled "The Foundation, Means, and Motivation for godly Behavior" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Your Name is Holy:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
~ Titus ~ Author: Paul the apostle Place: Uncertain Date: A.D. 64 or 65 Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met. Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30) A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link. Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: “I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.”
The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began–and he cannot lie.” Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God’s that you’ve accepted? Do you believe Paul’s teaching here that God cannot lie? Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?
The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: “He must enjoy having guests in his home.” What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home? When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is? Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Titus titled “Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church” is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the song "Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray for purity in your life. Pray that you have been made pure by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We wrap up Paul’s second letter to Timothy today! Titus begins tomorrow! Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today: "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" or "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with Truth? That may offer strange myths? (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher – I came across a scary image about false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below… but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today. Wow… here I am shopping around for my teacher! This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! 🙂 Okay, okay, I’ll put up the scary wolf image below too!)
In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul’s final written words! They are amazing. It’s great to see some basic human needs in these closing words in verse 13: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It’s also sad to see how Paul’s been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it’s my prayer for each of you as well: "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." Indeed. Grace…
Worship Video: I realize that I’m posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row. But today’s readings reminded me of his song "Indescribable", I want to share a live version of this song from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium. I don’t think I mentioned this in yesterday’s posting – but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity! It is always a powerful worship experience!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you preach the Word in your life at all times – and use words when necessary. Pray that you are prepared in season and out of season to preach the Word. Pray that you will correct, rebuke and encourage others in your life with great patience and careful instruction.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Second Timothy chapter 2 verse 22 is so very true: “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. “ Notice that first word – Run. Flee. Go the other way. U-turn. Don’t hang around. Run. Do you run from things that stimulate lust in your life? Do you really Run? How fast?
Verse 22 continues on with some encouraging words – “Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” I like that – pursue faith. Pursue love. Pursue peace. And – “enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” I do pray you have some relationships like this in your life? They can provide you such great rest and rejuvenation. A small group in your church may be a great way to find these types of relationships if you don’t have them currently. Community can be messy & tough & scary at times – but it’s so worth it! Please pursue community with other believers. And please do continue to have relationships with others who may not be believers in your life too. Be cautious in that sometimes those old relationships can bring us down or pull us back to old habits if we are not careful. That is why we most definitely need to have a community of those who call on the Lord in our lives as well. In community, let us pursue faith! Pursue love! Pursue peace! With pure hearts!
2 Timothy 3:1-5 are 5 powerful verses that deserve to be meditated upon by each of us: “You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.” How do these teachings of Paul resonate with you? Do you see parallels in today’s modern world with these teachings? Are there some people in your life today that you should literally stay away from?
Okay, and then verses 16 and 17 just make One Year Bible bloggers like myself smile…. 🙂 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” Do you believe these verses to be true? Do you believe that Scripture is inspired by God? And useful to teach us what is true? And make us realize what is wrong in our lives? Is God’s Word fully equipping you for every good thing God wants you to do?
Worship Video: Today’s readings, and really many of our recent days readings, are reminding me of Chris Tomlin’s amazing song “Made to Worship.” Related to this song, I heard a recent sermon by Dr. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City about how the first 2 of the Ten Commandments are so critical for us to fully understand and live out. God is God. Worship God. No false idols. If we really get this and really live it out, well then the rest of the 8 Commandments are a lot easier to actually keep. It’s when we mess up on the first two commandments, and when we start worshiping created things rather than our Creator – well, that’s when we very easily mess up on the other 8 commandments. If you’re worshiping money more than God, then it’s a lot easier to lie, cheat and steal! Put God back in his proper place – as your God. And worship God only. And, then, well, why lie, cheat or steal? You wouldn’t want to do that while worshiping God. I hope this makes sense? It was stunning to me to really think about it while listening to Dr. Keller’s sermon. And I’ve heard Chris say before about how “you and I are made to worship. We’re great worshipers!” And I agree with him on this. The question is that who or what are we worshiping? I do think all humans on the planet are great worshipers. However, we’re not all worshiping God above all else… And that’s where the problems come in! Apologies on this long set up to this video. 🙂 You and I are made to worship God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are being taught, rebuked, corrected and trained by the Bible, so that you will be thoroughly equipped for good works. Pray that you wholeheartedly believe that all Scripture is God-breathed.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
2 Timothy 2, verse 9 has a great verse for us One Year Bible readers! 🙂 "But the word of God cannot be chained." Amen! Well, I suppose in theory one individual Bible could be chained (as you sadly see below), but not all Bibles. God’s living and active Word overall cannot be chained!
2 Tim 2 is a great chapter today… just jam packed with wisdom. Verse 4 stands out: "And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army." How often do we become tied up in affairs of this life…. ? Every day? Every hour? More often than that… ? If we are constantly "distracted" by the affairs of this life, do we lose sight of Jesus? Do we distract ourselves so much so that we can’t serve Jesus well?
Verse 21 is a great closing verse today: "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." Will you keep yourself pure? Have you ever realized that you are indeed a utensil for God’s use? 🙂
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Francesca Battistelli’s song “God is Good:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:16 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you will avoid godless chatter in your life. Pray that you will not indulge in gossip. Pray that you won’t become ungodly by allowing godless chatter to infect your life in any way, shape or form.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we begin Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which was likely the last letter Paul ever wrote. Some call this letter Paul’s “last will and testament!”
~ Second Timothy ~ Author: Paul the apostle Place: Probably Rome Date: A.D. 66 or 67 Content: This letter was probably the last letter that Paul ever wrote, and he addressed it to his former associate Timothy. It is a personal letter that expresses Paul’s deepest feelings and the assurance that though his earthly life might end, God had eternal life waiting for him in heaven. Paul also reflects upon the faithfulness of God (who led him through his entire life) and upon the coming desperate days when men would depart from the truth, refusing to acknowledge God as Lord. He exhorts Timothy to stand firm in the face of the coming persecutions. Theme: The sovereign control of God over all things is the basic theme of this book. Although distress has come and will continue to increase, God is in control and those who trust him will have nothing to fear. Paul also adds his own testimony of faith, describing how he fought for the truth and will be rewarded by God in the end. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 29-30) .
Second Timothy chapter 1 verse 6 is a very important teaching of Paul’s that each of us should consider in our own lives: “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.” Do you notice that Paul says “fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you”? What does this say to you? This says to me that when God gives us spiritual gifts, they don’t typically come in full bloom all at once! The gifts are given, and then we are to partner with the Spirit of God in fanning the embers of the spiritual gifts into full flames! This is really powerful to think about. I think sometimes we think that once we’re saved, that’s it. We’re done. We’ve got all we need and there’s nothing more to do except wait for heaven. Well… I think once we’re saved the spiritual adventure really begins! God’s gives us spiritual gifts. He gives us Kingdom work to do on this side of heaven! Do you believe that you have spiritual gifts? Do you know what they are? If not, do you suppose that perhaps your spiritual gifts are currently embers and now is the time for you to “fan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you”? Let us fan the flames folks!
Worship Video: Today’s readings in 2 Timothy 1 reminded me of Tenth Avenue North’s great song, “Love Is Here:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we wrap up First Timothy! Second Timothy begins tomorrow! First Timothy chapter 6 today is full of great wisdom. Verse 7: "Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth." Are you seeking true religion? What is true religion? I think Paul gives some great hints to us in verses 11-14: "Run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his commands with all purity." Are you holding tightly to the eternal life that God has given you? Hold tight!
Verse 10 is powerful today – "For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." It is important to note that the "love of money" is the root of all kinds of evil. Not money in and of itself – that’s not the root of evil. But the love of money… this is a great distinction and a great truth. Do you love money? If so, should you be worried about this? If we love money, might we wander from the faith and pierce ourselves with many sorrows?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “Flawless:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you do not love money. Pray that you are not eager for money. Pray that you are not pursuing all kinds of evil, nor many griefs, through love or eagerness for money.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Glory to God! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
First Timothy 5:8 is a powerful teaching from Paul today: “But those who won’t care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” This is such a great reminder to care for our parents as they get older! I have seen some family members and friends do this for their parents – and uncles and other relatives – and it is such a blessing to see in action. This reminds me of the commandment of “Honor your father & mother.” What a blessed way to honor your father and mother by caring for them when they are older!
First Timothy 5:24 is so important: “Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.” There is so much I could say about this verse. First and foremost, I think each of us needs to consider this verse in our own lives. Are there sins in our life that no one else knows about? Do you think that God knows about these secret sins? Do you think those secret sins will indeed eventually be revealed? I recently heard a radio talk show host talking about secrets. And basically he made the point that none of us should have secrets in our life because if we do those secrets will not “keep” – they’ll spoil us inside and, worst case, someday they could explode in horrendous ways. He made the comment that someone in our life needs to know absolutely everything in our life. (not that everyone in our life needs to know everything – but at least one person does) He ranked this in order of who he thought should know everything about us: 1. your spouse 2. a good trusted friend. 3. a clergy or professional counselor. It was interesting that he did make the point that he didn’t think that your child(ren) need to know absolutely everything – but someone does… Obviously, we all know that God knows everything about us. But, I think there is so much truth in that one of the key ways to rid ourselves of a secret sin is to bring it out of the dark and into the Light by sharing that secret with someone else. And if it’s a continuing sin, ask that person for help and accountability. Let us not wait until we meet the Lord face to face for us to rid ourselves of the rotten burden of secrets! Let us shine a Light on the secrets now for healing & peace!
Worship Video – Today’s readings reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song “Love take me over:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you watch your life and your doctrine closely each and every day. Pray that you persevere in your faith daily through a saving faith and relationship in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 we will read: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” How are you doing on training yourself to be godly? Do you believe this is something you can be trained in? Are you practicing spiritual disciplines on a regular basis? Spiritual disciplines might include: prayer, journaling, quiet time, fasting, retreats, Sabbaths, reading the Bible :), to name a few.
YouTube: I’ve had a lot of great conversations lately with people about the power of not only reading Scripture, but actually listening to it! I know many of you are following along in our One Year Bible readings using the Tom Dooley link or are listening on Bible Gateway. A few years ago I listened to the Bible using “The Bible Experience.” It is fantastic – see the video below for an overview. Does anyone have any other audio Bible versions you could recommend in the Comments section below? Thanks!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” First Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are training yourself to be godly each and every day. Pray that you are pursuing godliness for both the present life and the life to come!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Glory to God! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
New Testament in a Year 