Tag Archives: Titus 2:1-15

October 27, 2014 Bible Study — Live Wisely

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have been convicted over the last few weeks to seek to develop a disciplined prayer life. It is still a work in progress. Please pray for me, that the Holy Spirit may show me how to pray in a disciplined manner.

DSCN6724

Proverbs 26:17

    Getting involved in someone else’s quarrel is as dangerous as grabbing the ears of a stray dog. It is foolish to rush into an argument that you are not otherwise involved in. If you are tempted to get involved in a quarrel not your own, think carefully before doing so.

DSCN6718

Psalm 99:1-9

    The Lord is king and sits on His throne. All of the earth and everyone on it should fear Him. God enforces justice and righteousness and all of the earth. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel (interesting that the psalmist chose those three examples) called on the Lord for help and He answered them. The same will happen today. If we call on the Lord, He will answer us with great power. Are we willing to do so?

DSCN6719

Titus 2:1-15

    This passage contains instructions on how we should live at different stages of our lives. The theme that runs through all of it is the idea that we should live wisely. While Paul gives separate instructions for men and women, and for older and younger men and women as well, we will do well to pay attention to all of his instructions no matter at what point in life we find ourselves, or what gender we are.
    Older men are to exercise self-control, be worthy of respect, and live wisely. Well, that is certainly worth doing. It is worth pointing out that while the young should respect their elders, that becomes much easier if those elders are worthy of respect. Older women should not be heavy drinkers, nor should they slander others. Well, no one should do those things. They should also teach others what is good. In particular, they are to teach young women to be good wives and mothers. Again, something we all should do. Older men should teach younger men to be good husbands and fathers. Even those who are younger should strive to teach others to do the same, at the very least by demonstrating how to do so.
    Our lives should be an example to others, consistent with the Gospel message. In both our teaching and how we live we should show integrity and seriousness (note: “seriousness”, not “somberness”). Let us teach the truth, which means making sure that the stories we use to illustrate what we say are accurate (or, if we are unable to confirm their truth, explain that the story as told illustrates the point, even if the actual facts turn out to be different). We should never let others denigrate the truth because we failed to do our homework.

DSCN6721

Jeremiah 51:1-53

    Babylon was once the most powerful kingdom on earth. God used it to bring His judgement against the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and against the people of many other nations. But the people of Babylon reveled in her power and mistreated those of other nations. They indulged in idolatrous rituals and did not do the Lord’s will. They acted wickedly in many ways. As a result, God raised up an army to destroy the kingdom and city of Babylon completely.
    The United States has been the most powerful nation on the earth for all of my life. It has been used by God to execute His will on the earth. However, its people have reveled in its power and, more and more, started indulging in idolatrous rituals. The analogy breaks down because, at least up until now, the United States has supported and defended the state of Israel, rather than used its military might to overthrow it. Even so, we need to pay attention to the prophesies Jeremiah made against Babylon. If the people of the United States do not soon turn from their wicked sins, God will bring a judgement against them that will put that He leveled against Babylon into the shadows.

October 27, 2013 Bible Study — Set an Example By Doing What Is Good

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell’arte

Jeremiah 51:1-53

     Today’s passage is a continuation of Jeremiah’s prophecy of the downfall and destruction of Babylon. The people of Babylon believed that their might, wealth, and power were their just due. Jeremiah reminds us that God is in charge and those who worship other gods, or set themselves up in God’s place, will learn this to their sorrow. There will be a day of reckoning when every idol will be revealed as powerless before God. Let us flee from idols and turn to God.

More commedia dell'arte
More commedia dell’arte

Titus 2:1-15

     Paul instructs Titus to teach what is “appropriate to sound doctrine”(NIV). He then goes on to give examples of what he means. Paul divides it up into things for older and younger, men and women, but for the most part it applies equally to all of us. I will strive to live wisely and with self control. I will not drink heavily and I will teach what is good. I will act in a way that is worthy of respect, exhibiting love and patience every day. I will set an example for others by doing good works. I will make it my goal to live and speak in such a way that those who oppose what I believe will have nothing bad to say about me and will be ashamed to bad mouth Christianity.
     God’s grace has been revealed and offers salvation to all people. I will live a righteous, wise, and godly life so that others may see what God’s grace has done for me and come to desire the same thing for themselves. It is not enough to live like this, beyond living according to God’s word, I will teach and encourage others to do likewise.


     This passage makes me realize that there are two important aspects about my faith. First, if I truly believe, if I truly have faith in God, my life will show that in what I do each and every day. However, there is a second part. If I truly believe, if I truly have faith in the message about God contained in the Bible, I will tell others. I will strive to convince others that they too should allow the Holy Spirit to transform them. I have always loved the Francis of Assisi quote, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” It reflects the fact that the first step in preaching the Gospel is living it. However, it is wrong in implying that if you truly live the Gospel words are rarely necessary.
     If we do not live the Gospel, speaking the words is worse than useless. However, if we live the Gospel but do not explain why we are doing so, people will not come to the Lord either.

Still more commedia dell'arte
Still more commedia dell’arte

Psalm 99:1-9

     God is the ultimate ruler of all the earth and He is a lover of justice. He has established equity (the word in question means everyone being judged equally). I will praise the Lord and call on others to do the same.

And yet more commedia dell'arte
And yet more commedia dell’arte

Proverbs 26:17

     Getting involved in someone else’s argument can be dangerous. You never know what emotions and thoughts lie behind the argument that is currently in progress.

October 27, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

Jeremiah 51:1-53

     Babylon was the mightiest nation on earth when Jeremiah prophesied her fall. God had used Babylon to punish the people of Israel for their sins, but that did not free them from responsibility for their own sins. Among those sins was mistreating the people of Israel. Babylon was wealthy and the mightiest city on earth, but that did not save them from the consequences of their sins. In the same way today, our wealth and military might will not save us from the consequences of our sins. Only by turning to God and crying out to Him can we be saved from our sins.

Magrat finds something to play with

Titus 2:1-15

     Paul instructs us to live wisely. We should be a role model for others, doing all kinds of good works. Everything we do should reflect the integrity and seriousness of what we believe and teach. Above all we should teach the truth. We should live and teach in such a way that those who oppose us have nothing bad to say about us. If you work for someone else, be trustworthy and good, do not talk back or steal. In all ways work to make the teachings about God that we follow attractive. Let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures, instead living lives of wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. Jesus gave his life to free us from sin and cleanse us, let us be committed to doing good deeds. We are to teach these things and encourage other believers to do them.

Water over the dam

Psalm 99:1-9

     Let us praise the Lord. Throughout history men and women of God have called on Him for help. When they cried out to Him, He answered them. If we cry out to Him today for help, He will answer us. God will discipline us when we do wrong, but when we turn to Him and attempt to follow His commands He will forgive us our failings.

Fall blooms

Proverbs 26:17

     Getting involved in someone else’s argument is likely to end badly.