fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Titus
Oct 7, 2019 9:40:43 GMT -5
anna likes this
Post by fearnot on Oct 7, 2019 9:40:43 GMT -5
Paul wrote this to Titus ( a Gentile) who was close to Paul ( one of Paul's converts)
and who was on the Island of Crete as its pastor.
Paul discusses the various problems, needs etc facing Titus ( Like the need to ordain elders and false teachers etc.).
Sound doctrine combined with good works ( Holy living) for evangelism is also a factor.
Even the rapture and the return of Jesus.
Written around 64 AD
Titus 1: 1-4
Paul says he is a 'slave' of God, for some reason they changed it to servant?
But I am pretty sure the Greek word is doulos...which I think is a 'slave'
(completely surrendered to another)
I think it is important because a 'slave' is bought and is not his own ( whereas a 'servant' tho he or she may do the same things, the servant has generally more 'rights').
In the old testament, after a period of time, a slave might become his or her own person again, but strangely some 'chose' to remain slaves.
Someone might think, well, maybe, they could see that because maybe there were not enough well paying jobs, so if the had a super kind owner they found themselves, well fed, clothed, housed, medically taken care of and even loved.
However, thinking it was because they could not find a job that paid enough, is not necessarily true.....there are people today making millions, but because they simply cannot manage money....at all loose it all
and strange as it seems to us, because we never ever think of someone choosing to be a slave rather its imposed on them.....the idea of true love going both ways, never enters our thoughts....but no one can ever love us like our Creator and yet.....we are either 'owned by Him or by Satan.
Jesus 'bought' us with His blood and death on the cross paying for our sins.
Paul goes on to say he is an Apostle of Jesus, so tho a slave, Paul had authority given by Jesus.....
For the reason being for:
the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth
Here it mentions election God's elect.....God's choosing.
If the choosing were left up to us, totally, we were not have security
because things happen, emotions happen
Today, I might be gung ho for the Lord, but something horrible might happen tomorrow and I am so hurt, angry, disappointed, in such pain....I might at that moment be done with the Lord ( and if I were to die in that state.....if it were only up to me.....well my eternal outcome would be terrible!!)
So, God choosing is security ( I cannot leap out of God's hand....I can try, but praise be to God, if I am His, my 'snit' will never last, and I am His for all eternity!!!)
And I can rest in the fact that God does not lie....so if He says He will keep me, He will!!
Eternal life was promised before the universe was created......God determined to save many people.
God has times He has appointed or appointed times ( things do not happen before their time....often sadly ( to my way of thinking) it's not the timing to 'my' wish LOL)
And yet, I have also discovered, that God's timing has always been for a reason and is the best timing.....not my I want it now timing!!
But through the preaching of the Word ( God's Word)
God's purposes, wisdom, timing etc is made known.
And as God's slave Paul was commanded to preach the Lord's Word ( but it was also an honor and out of love for God) for Paul to do so
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Titus
Oct 8, 2019 9:42:52 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Oct 8, 2019 9:42:52 GMT -5
Good! I think however when it's time to choose another book that it's length shouldn't be a consideration lol.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 8, 2019 10:32:01 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 8, 2019 10:32:01 GMT -5
I will keep that in mind LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 8, 2019 11:10:43 GMT -5
anna likes this
Post by fearnot on Oct 8, 2019 11:10:43 GMT -5
Titus 1: 5-16
Qualifications for Elders
Paul explains to Titus the 'work' to be done ( the reason he was in Crete).
Crete at that time was apparently very uncivilized
and the churches needed a lot of organizing.
One of the things to be done by Titus was to appoint elders
and to follow the qualifications in choosing them.
This points out the need for order
but more than that there is a need for such men to be righteous
and thus the qualifications.
First they must be above reproach ( obviously not 100 percent sinless.....but no habitual, rebellious, deeds, not dishonest, or liars, or adulterers etc etc.)
They are know to have good godly character, good reputations, living out God's word etc.
Paul did not say they should be great looking, have superior intelligence, have super star charisma, be wealthy or anything like that.
They must only have one wife
( perhaps some recent converts in Crete had several wives, in other words.... polygamy).
Not only that his children must be believers. I would think if a man could not explain the gospel to his children and lead them to faith in Christ, he might have little or no chance with others.
Then Paul lists some character qualities an elder must NOT have:
arrogant (proud, self willed, boaster, etc)
quick-tempered ( not having a short fuse, or being very touchy, hot tempered, turbulent etc.)
a drunkard
violent
greedy for gain
Rather they ought to have these characteristics:
hospitable,
a lover of good,
self-controlled,
upright,
holy,
and disciplined
And to me this is very important
"He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
And Paul says that there were 'many' who were insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers
And so there are in our day and age also!!
he goes on to say:
"They must be silenced"
Wow! That is something many Christians are not willing to touch with a ten foot pole, because sure as shooting, someone might immediately say:
Oh but you are not to be 'judgmental'!!!
and who are you to say thus and so???
But God says it.
False teaching cannot be allowed!!! It leads people to eternity in Hell!
And it continues to spread ( just like all sin does, it always grows and gets bigger).
Paul goes on to quote a well known Cretan who said:
“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Imagine saying this in today's world!!!
And yet, in essence, we are all sinners ,and before being saved, we could probably have added a few more to that list.
Satan is a liar from the beginning and the Father of lies.....those who are not saved are like their father of lies and so on.
So in any case false teachers should be rebuked sharply!!
to say all things are pure does not mean however, sinful things are pure ( i.e. porn is NOT pure and that is not what this means.
This is more in light of the false teachers saying people 'must' be circumcised,
or not eat pork, or any other 'legalism'.
Such false teachers profess to know God
but they deny him by their works.
They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Their behavior, lack of love or compassion etc. shows that they do NOT know God.
They are fakers and phony, often in it for the money are thus are detestable, and disobedient.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 9, 2019 7:03:18 GMT -5
anna likes this
Post by fearnot on Oct 9, 2019 7:03:18 GMT -5
I keep falling asleep, because I did not sleep one wink, last night
Titus 2: 1-8
Having dealt with pastors, elders etc.
in Chapter 2 Paul now turns to the laity, the members of the church.
He states in order for the people to be spiritually healthy Titus must give them sound doctrine ( as opposed to what the false teachers had done....and continue to do up to this very day).
Sound doctrine is essential for Holy living and godly character.
He has specific character traits and lifestyles for men and women and also for the young and old men and women.
There are 6 character traits listed for older men ( I am thinking this is not allof them, rather just a sampling of some of the more important ones):
sober-minded,
dignified,
self-controlled,
sound in faith,
in love,
and in steadfastness
When men have these traits ( unlike non-believers) they draw people to Jesus.
Older woman have a different list:
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers
or slaves to much wine.
Some things they should NOT be doing
but instead here are some things they should be doing
They are to teach what is good,
and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled,
pure,
working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, ( many young woman today do not want to hear this.....well it is nothing new, I am thinking it started with Eve and that went about as bad as it could be!!!)
that the word of God may not be reviled.
Also young men are to live self-controlled, godly lives ( basically the opposite of what most young unsaved men are like)...
In fact since Titus seems to be a young man
Paul goes on to add:
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works,
and in your teaching show integrity,
dignity,
and sound speech"
Paul says for Titus to 'show'.....in other words, to do good deeds, not just talk about it,
but as the saying goes, to walk the walk.....
but when Titus talks and/or preaches ,
he is to be honest and have pure words....
not like the false words that were coming out of the mouths of the false teachers.
His words are to be so pure, honest. godly and true, that no one can condemn him or say anything evil about his words, doctrine, sermons etc.
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Post by Cindy on Oct 9, 2019 11:48:33 GMT -5
Titus 1: 5-16
Qualifications for Elders
Paul explains to Titus the 'work' to be done ( the reason he was in Crete).
Crete at that time was apparently very uncivilized
and the churches needed a lot of organizing.
One of the things to be done by Titus was to appoint elders
and to follow the qualifications in choosing them.
This points out the need for order
but more than that there is a need for such men to be righteous
and thus the qualifications.
First they must be above reproach ( obviously not 100 percent sinless.....but no habitual, rebellious, deeds, not dishonest, or liars, or adulterers etc etc.)
They are know to have good godly character, good reputations, living out God's word etc.
Paul did not say they should be great looking, have superior intelligence, have super star charisma, be wealthy or anything like that.
They must only have one wife
( perhaps some recent converts in Crete had several wives, in other words.... polygamy).
Not only that his children must be believers. I would think if a man could not explain the gospel to his children and lead them to faith in Christ, he might have little or no chance with others.
Then Paul lists some character qualities an elder must NOT have:
arrogant (proud, self willed, boaster, etc)
quick-tempered ( not having a short fuse, or being very touchy, hot tempered, turbulent etc.)
a drunkard
violent
greedy for gain
Rather they ought to have these characteristics:
hospitable,
a lover of good,
self-controlled,
upright,
holy,
and disciplined
And to me this is very important
"He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
And Paul says that there were 'many' who were insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers
And so there are in our day and age also!!
he goes on to say:
"They must be silenced"
Wow! That is something many Christians are not willing to touch with a ten foot pole, because sure as shooting, someone might immediately say:
Oh but you are not to be 'judgmental'!!!
and who are you to say thus and so???
But God says it.
False teaching cannot be allowed!!! It leads people to eternity in Hell!
And it continues to spread ( just like all sin does, it always grows and gets bigger).
Paul goes on to quote a well known Cretan who said:
“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Imagine saying this in today's world!!!
And yet, in essence, we are all sinners ,and before being saved, we could probably have added a few more to that list.
Satan is a liar from the beginning and the Father of lies.....those who are not saved are like their father of lies and so on.
So in any case false teachers should be rebuked sharply!!
to say all things are pure does not mean however, sinful things are pure ( i.e. porn is NOT pure and that is not what this means.
This is more in light of the false teachers saying people 'must' be circumcised,
or not eat pork, or any other 'legalism'.
Such false teachers profess to know God
but they deny him by their works.
They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Their behavior, lack of love or compassion etc. shows that they do NOT know God.
They are fakers and phony, often in it for the money are thus are detestable, and disobedient.
Titus 2: 1-15
Having dealt with pastors, elders etc.
in Chapter 2 Paul now turns to the laity, the members of the church.
He states in order for the people to be spiritually healthy Titus must give them sound doctrine ( as opposed to what the false teachers had done....and continue to do up to this very day).
Sound doctrine is essential for Holy living and godly character.
He has specific character traits and lifestyles for men and women and also for the young and old men and women.
There are 6 character traits listed for older men ( I am thinking this is not allof them, rather just a sampling of some of the more important ones):
sober-minded,
dignified,
self-controlled,
sound in faith,
in love,
and in steadfastness
When men have these traits ( unlike non-believers) they draw people to Jesus.
Older woman have a different list:
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers
or slaves to much wine.
Some things they should NOT be doing
but instead here are some things they should be doing
They are to teach what is good,
and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled,
pure,
working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, ( many young woman today do not want to hear this.....well it is nothing new, I am thinking it started with Eve and that went about as bad as it could be!!!)
that the word of God may not be reviled.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 10, 2019 10:47:44 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 10, 2019 10:47:44 GMT -5
Oh that is funny!!!
I did write I was going to take a nap.....so that if you read it
before
I tried to study and write more.....you would know I would try to add to it.....
later, that what you saw was only partially done
but
I also wrote
when I woke up.....( tho I didn't say this, but meant)
If....
I did not see a re ply from you ( Like:
oh.. ok ..... You will wait and see if and when you add more or something like that.....that was my 'rhought' ha!
But if no reply
then I would figure
OH she did not see my 1/2 finished post
Sooooo I did write,
when I got back to writing and posting,
I would just delete that sentence ( thinking you did not see it anyway) and you did not need to hear all that ( it would be sort of meaningless)....
And that's what I did ( I deleted that sentence.....only.....you did see it ha-ha) LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Titus
Oct 10, 2019 12:40:30 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 10, 2019 12:40:30 GMT -5
I did sleep last night....in fact, I slept straight through 9 hours ( not getting up to go to the bathroom even once........something that I have NOT been able to do since I was a teenager!!!!)
Absolutely amazing to me!!
I really felt so sleep deprived yesterday I felt like throwing up ( had to take a non throw up pill even) I was shaking and could barely walk without collapsing)
And yet
In the past
I have gone 72 hours without sleep at all and did not feel nearly so bad!done that!!!
So that was weird
and to be able to sleep 9 hours straight thru.....i
ts been 50 years since I have
Anyway:
Titus 2: 9-15
Now we come to slaves...a really hard subject.
Paul is speaking to Titus about real slavery ( like the kind we had in our country's past)
So people today really cringe when they hear Paul say that a slave
is to be submissive to their own masters in everything!
For many people their first reaction is
everything about that verse is wrong!
The words
submissive
and master
Firstly slaves back then were not just black,
any captured people could be, and were slaves.
Secondly People today are actually slaves to many many 'masters'
Some are slaves to alcohol or drugs ( which can cause all manner of bodily bruises, etc. and even their death.....just like a master owning a slave can cause to his slave)
But there are also those masters which at first glance don't really seem to fit
the 'master' of financial success
However, you must be aware of that financial master everyday, and follow exactly what it says or you could be ruined
And there is the master of sex....it too can kill you at its own whim by disease
the master of political ( or any kind of) power
the master of gaining gold medals or any athletic medals
etc. etc.
You may think they do not compare to one human being 'owned' by another
but people must devote all their waking hours to these masters and every one of them could kill their 'slave' at any time
cause them all sort of bruises and physical, emotional, psychological ( if you are inclined to believe in that), and spiritual harm, all manner of damage or death.
We are all under the control of somebody or something and in these other cases,
these slaves had a choice ( not to be free and/or do their own thing)
But how should you live as an owned slave by another human for life?
You could choose to be angry, sullen, argumentative, stealing from their owner when you could get away with it etc.
Play the 'victim card...after all they were victims!!!)
do the least amount you could get away with....since you were not getting anything for yourselves if you worked hard for an abusive evil man)
or....
If you were a Christian and a slave, you would aim to please your true master in Heaven, God who loved you and do your very best from your hearts for their earthy masters ( but also more importantly......doing it as unto the Lord God....so even IF your earthly owner never ever said: well done, your true Master in Heaven would ).
Well if these slaves were Christians then they needed to have an attitude adjustment if the were bitter and angry
instead they needed to choose to be:
"submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, "
But why?
" ...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior".
They were not only slaves ( the lowest of the low ,humanly speaking, as to their situation)
and yet they were also:
ambassadors for Jesus ( a very high and Heavenly calling).
To be an angry bitter slave might be from the world's perspective
( in many cases heart breaking truly a sad existence if you are owned by a monster who just loves to demean and beat and torture people/you )
However, who in the world view and in Heaven is the greater man....
an 'evil 'slave owner
( and not all were evil by the way......some had 'slaves' in order to save them from others of that day....and then treated them like their very own family)
or
a Christian slave???
I think the honor goes to the Christian slave....
but even more so, to his 'real' owner
God gets the glory.
But
as hard as it is to not br....would a bitter sullen, angry slave's attitude
'adorn' the doctrine of Jesus?
Jesus was also demeaned and beaten and tortured and hung on a cross to die because he was so hated
more than that,
He was Holy, pure,
and without any sin, whatsoever
and yet
He took on my sin
and any Christian slave's sin also
Jesus understood and still understands being hated, abused, tortured and killed.
Yet, In all of those evil things, He can give peace that passes understanding.
When you rise above the evil,
you have no idea who you may be attracting to Jesus ( or when they will come to Him).
Unbelievers, who are not slaves to a human owners,
are nevertheless, controlled and are just as much a 'slave'
but by choice...
they will work to exhaustion, then spend ever hard earned penny on drugs, alcohol, sex, material items, etc.
and then
those things begin to beat their bodies...
but do they run away to escape???
NO!!!
they embrace them all the more,
and eventually their 'masters' kill them.....
and what are these free (rebels ) spirit's legacy?
They wallowed in the muck and mire and called it freedom.
What about the obedient slave.....he has honor because he was honorable,
his situation may have never changed
but he was transformed into the likeness of Christ etc.
And He is going home to be with God forever.
( His motivation for godly behavior).
They choose (as do I ) to be the 'possession' of Jesus.
He bought and paid for us.....as slaves are bought and paid for
be we if real slaves in this world or not
we can be
in either situation,
slaves of God.
Am I pro slavery....absolutely not
but the truth is we all have 'owners'
actually there are just 2 real owners, in the end
there is Satan and the things of his
or God
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Titus
Oct 11, 2019 10:02:27 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Oct 11, 2019 10:02:27 GMT -5
Oh that is funny!!!
I did write I was going to take a nap.....so that if you read it
before
I tried to study and write more.....you would know I would try to add to it.....
later, that what you saw was only partially done
but
I also wrote
when I woke up.....( tho I didn't say this, but meant)
If....
I did not see a re ply from you ( Like:
oh.. ok ..... You will wait and see if and when you add more or something like that.....that was my 'rhought' ha!
But if no reply
then I would figure
OH she did not see my 1/2 finished post
Sooooo I did write,
when I got back to writing and posting,
I would just delete that sentence ( thinking you did not see it anyway) and you did not need to hear all that ( it would be sort of meaningless)....
And that's what I did ( I deleted that sentence.....only.....you did see it ha-ha) LOL
I did sleep last night....in fact, I slept straight through 9 hours ( not getting up to go to the bathroom even once........something that I have NOT been able to do since I was a teenager!!!!)
Absolutely amazing to me!!
I really felt so sleep deprived yesterday I felt like throwing up ( had to take a non throw up pill even) I was shaking and could barely walk without collapsing)
And yet
In the past
I have gone 72 hours without sleep at all and did not feel nearly so bad!done that!!!
So that was weird
and to be able to sleep 9 hours straight thru.....i
ts been 50 years since I have
Anyway:
Titus 2: 9-15
Now we come to slaves...a really hard subject.
Paul is speaking to Titus about real slavery ( like the kind we had in our country's past)
So people today really cringe when they hear Paul say that a slave
is to be submissive to their own masters in everything!
For many people their first reaction is
everything about that verse is wrong!
The words
submissive
and master
Firstly slaves back then were not just black,
any captured people could be, and were slaves.
Secondly People today are actually slaves to many many 'masters'
Some are slaves to alcohol or drugs ( which can cause all manner of bodily bruises, etc. and even their death.....just like a master owning a slave can cause to his slave)
But there are also those masters which at first glance don't really seem to fit
the 'master' of financial success
However, you must be aware of that financial master everyday, and follow exactly what it says or you could be ruined
And there is the master of sex....it too can kill you at its own whim by disease
the master of political ( or any kind of) power
the master of gaining gold medals or any athletic medals
etc. etc.
You may think they do not compare to one human being 'owned' by another
but people must devote all their waking hours to these masters and every one of them could kill their 'slave' at any time
cause them all sort of bruises and physical, emotional, psychological ( if you are inclined to believe in that), and spiritual harm, all manner of damage or death.
We are all under the control of somebody or something and in these other cases,
these slaves had a choice ( not to be free and/or do their own thing)
But how should you live as an owned slave by another human for life?
You could choose to be angry, sullen, argumentative, stealing from their owner when you could get away with it etc.
Play the 'victim card...after all they were victims!!!)
do the least amount you could get away with....since you were not getting anything for yourselves if you worked hard for an abusive evil man)
or....
If you were a Christian and a slave, you would aim to please your true master in Heaven, God who loved you and do your very best from your hearts for their earthy masters ( but also more importantly......doing it as unto the Lord God....so even IF your earthly owner never ever said: well done, your true Master in Heaven would ).
Well if these slaves were Christians then they needed to have an attitude adjustment if the were bitter and angry
instead they needed to choose to be:
"submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, "
But why?
" ...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior".
They were not only slaves ( the lowest of the low ,humanly speaking, as to their situation)
and yet they were also:
ambassadors for Jesus ( a very high and Heavenly calling).
To be an angry bitter slave might be from the world's perspective
( in many cases heart breaking truly a sad existence if you are owned by a monster who just loves to demean and beat and torture people/you )
However, who in the world view and in Heaven is the greater man....
an 'evil 'slave owner
( and not all were evil by the way......some had 'slaves' in order to save them from others of that day....and then treated them like their very own family)
or
a Christian slave???
I think the honor goes to the Christian slave....
but even more so, to his 'real' owner
God gets the glory.
But
as hard as it is to not br....would a bitter sullen, angry slave's attitude
'adorn' the doctrine of Jesus?
Jesus was also demeaned and beaten and tortured and hung on a cross to die because he was so hated
more than that,
He was Holy, pure,
and without any sin, whatsoever
and yet
He took on my sin
and any Christian slave's sin also
Jesus understood and still understands being hated, abused, tortured and killed.
Yet, In all of those evil things, He can give peace that passes understanding.
When you rise above the evil,
you have no idea who you may be attracting to Jesus ( or when they will come to Him).
Unbelievers, who are not slaves to a human owners,
are nevertheless, controlled and are just as much a 'slave'
but by choice...
they will work to exhaustion, then spend ever hard earned penny on drugs, alcohol, sex, material items, etc.
and then
those things begin to beat their bodies...
but do they run away to escape???
NO!!!
they embrace them all the more,
and eventually their 'masters' kill them.....
and what are these free (rebels ) spirit's legacy?
They wallowed in the muck and mire and called it freedom.
What about the obedient slave.....he has honor because he was honorable,
his situation may have never changed
but he was transformed into the likeness of Christ etc.
And He is going home to be with God forever.
( His motivation for godly behavior).
They choose (as do I ) to be the 'possession' of Jesus.
He bought and paid for us.....as slaves are bought and paid for
be we if real slaves in this world or not
we can be
in either situation,
slaves of God.
Am I pro slavery....absolutely not
but the truth is we all have 'owners'
actually there are just 2 real owners, in the end
there is Satan and the things of his
or God
Wow! What you wrote is incredible and I loved reading it! Great job!
I've often felt that the blacks who were slaves in the early part of US history, had a much greater grasp of true Christianity then most any one today. The reason I say that is because anyone who is or who had been a slave, understands very well what it means to be under a King who has your life in their hand. But most of us don't really understand that. Oh, we can imagine what it would be like to be a slave, but even doing that still doesn't give us that real understanding. But someone who was or had been a slave, they knew exactly what kind of power Jesus and God the Father have over them, and that God's power was greater then a human slave owner. But most importantly, they understood what it looked like to submit to a King and to be a slave to a King. So they could be much better slaves to Jesus than any of us could ever be.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Titus
Oct 11, 2019 10:35:31 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 11, 2019 10:35:31 GMT -5
That is a really good insight and so true.
Thank you.
Today all the kids are home:
in service day ( whatever that means)
And then next Thurs will be 1/2 day of school
and again, next Fri all 3 are off for teacher/parent conferences
Sooooo that means will be watching them in shifts all those days
So this might be a little shorter as I am also feeling very tired and a bit stuffy today sigh!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 11, 2019 11:08:06 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 11, 2019 11:08:06 GMT -5
Titus 3: 1-6
Paul tells Titus to remind the people to be submissive ( all people not just slaves or even wives....
but all are to be submissive also to rulers and authorities.
This is something our country is becoming adamantly against....
as a culture the whole idea of being submissive to anybody ( but self, passions, pleasures etc.) is abhorrent.
People hate the police ( unless they are in danger of being killed or someone stole from them)
they hate political people, they hate the military, their boss etc.
I can see where soon this inability to take any orders whatsoever, can weaken our country so much, we will not play any part in the end times.
So Titus is to remind church members to be obedient and to do good works also....because (I think) we forget so easily).
And of course it is not really possible to do so without being transformed and helped by the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers are bound to notice how different Christians are not only in Words but in loving deeds and obedience ( instead of a rebellious attitude)
The only exception would be if the government, ruler, boss, slave owner, husband .... whatever were to demand you do something God has commanded not to be done.
And then there are things we ought to do:
"to speak evil of no one,
to avoid quarreling,
to be gentle,
and to show perfect courtesy toward all people".
In some ways these are every bit as hard as being submissive
Gossip is a national past time..,, our whole culture has in many ways become based on it
with what is the latest gossip concerning movie stars, rock or rap stars, politicians
or the next door neighbor
and quarreling is a refined 'art'.....not in a good way tho.
Showing courtesy is also a dying thing....people are becoming more and more rude it seems
not all people, not all the time, but it just seems like a 'trend' that is gathering steam.....
so we need to be careful to go God's way and not the world's....as did they.
Paul understands how unbelievers act having been that way himself before coming the Christ.
This is true of all Christians.
It can be frustrating to really really understand unbelievers ( and not because we are 'perfect' by any means...
and yet they either don't believe you know what they are going thru, you have no awareness of sins pull
or
think you are a perfect saint ( which you are not, but it gives them an excuse they think to say, I could never be good so they throw up their hands and say..... I won't even come to the Lord)
Yet remembering we had such a past helps us to sometimes be gentle, loving and compassionate with them...as we have been given infinite mercy.
Paul gives a list of some of the evil things that was in his heart and mind and acts
But there is 'good news"
"when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us,
not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior"
Even the seemingly 'good works' unbelievers do....and often for selfish pride filled reasons
and with other sins included
So it was only God's mercy that saved us and made us 'new' born again, regenerated people.
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Titus
Oct 12, 2019 7:49:39 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Oct 12, 2019 7:49:39 GMT -5
That is a really good insight and so true.
Thank you.
Today all the kids are home:
in service day ( whatever that means)
And then next Thurs will be 1/2 day of school
and again, next Fri all 3 are off for teacher/parent conferences
Sooooo that means will be watching them in shifts all those days
So this might be a little shorter as I am also feeling very tired and a bit stuffy today sigh!
Titus 3: 1-6
Paul tells Titus to remind the people to be submissive ( all people not just slaves or even wives....
but all are to be submissive also to rulers and authorities.
This is something our country is becoming adamantly against....
as a culture the whole idea of being submissive to anybody ( but self, passions, pleasures etc.) is abhorrent.
People hate the police ( unless they are in danger of being killed or someone stole from them)
they hate political people, they hate the military, their boss etc.
I can see where soon this inability to take any orders whatsoever, can weaken our country so much, we will not play any part in the end times.
So Titus is to remind church members to be obedient and to do good works also....because (I think) we forget so easily).
And of course it is not really possible to do so without being transformed and helped by the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers are bound to notice how different Christians are not only in Words but in loving deeds and obedience ( instead of a rebellious attitude)
The only exception would be if the government, ruler, boss, slave owner, husband .... whatever were to demand you do something God has commanded not to be done.
And then there are things we ought to do:
"to speak evil of no one,
to avoid quarreling,
to be gentle,
and to show perfect courtesy toward all people".
In some ways these are every bit as hard as being submissive
Gossip is a national past time..,, our whole culture has in many ways become based on it
with what is the latest gossip concerning movie stars, rock or rap stars, politicians
or the next door neighbor
and quarreling is a refined 'art'.....not in a good way tho.
Showing courtesy is also a dying thing....people are becoming more and more rude it seems
not all people, not all the time, but it just seems like a 'trend' that is gathering steam.....
so we need to be careful to go God's way and not the world's....as did they.
Paul understands how unbelievers act having been that way himself before coming the Christ.
This is true of all Christians.
It can be frustrating to really really understand unbelievers ( and not because we are 'perfect' by any means...
and yet they either don't believe you know what they are going thru, you have no awareness of sins pull
or
think you are a perfect saint ( which you are not, but it gives them an excuse they think to say, I could never be good so they throw up their hands and say..... I won't even come to the Lord)
Yet remembering we had such a past helps us to sometimes be gentle, loving and compassionate with them...as we have been given infinite mercy.
Paul gives a list of some of the evil things that was in his heart and mind and acts
But there is 'good news"
"when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us,
not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior"
Even the seemingly 'good works' unbelievers do....and often for selfish pride filled reasons
and with other sins included
So it was only God's mercy that saved us and made us 'new' born again, regenerated people.
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)
Paul isn't speaking just about himself in this scripture, but is speaking about all of us who have been saved. What he says here is true about each one of us.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 12, 2019 11:58:58 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 12, 2019 11:58:58 GMT -5
Opps! Sorry, you are right of course...and I knew that arrrgghhh
I had to watch the kids a lot yesterday and it was one of those, not good days)
2-3 hours at a time, and Leonard had to cut short his turn which meant a longer 2nd time for me ( and cut short my time to eat, do Bible study etc.)
I know you have 'suggested' ( ok maybe you were doing more than 'suggesting') that when I watch the kids I am in charge
But Brian's kids can be a handful!
In the past when it was just Devon ( or even when it was Vanessa also) if I asked them to do this or that there was no whining, argument,etc.
And if I ask his children to turn down the volume of video games ( I am beginning to truly hate hate hate video games!!! arrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)
they will do that
but to suggest they do not play them all day long
is a catastrophe...they will DIE
of boredom
there is NOTHING else to do
their DAD lets them
They will DIE of boredom, there is NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING else to do
and on and on
and I am tired of fighting this battle also.
Especially when I was not feeling well to begin with
Plus they fight and argue with each other endlessly......
For some reason my 2 did not
and Devon and Vanessa did not
But Rylan and Aaliahyah argue over everything every little thing under the sun!!
Who got more food, who bumped into who, who said what to whom
its endless
they want to drag the adult into it so they can accuse each other
but if the adult stays out
that's fine too
they just escalate the screaming to a higher level with each other.
If they both have an electronic game they are basically less at each others hair....
but its like the old days of placing kids in front of a TV
Its sad and annoying but I am also really tired these days.
Sorry, I really got off on a tangent huh? ( roll eyes) LOL
It is hard dealing with children that have been in a lot of bad situations and I have not had much to do with their lives until recently ( and their dad has different values)
He recently told them all ( Devon wanted my help on this issue)
that all religions and their books.....exaggerate....and he is pretty sure the Bible does too).
Soooo many battles on so many fronts.....
Devon and Aaliayah have some heavy duty atheists teacher.....
Rylan has actually been blessed with a teacher who goes to our church ( tho he cannot say much, he nevertheless says a lot more than I thought....this is his last year of teaching so that might be part of his boldness, but he seems on fire for the Lord).
But the other two kids come home with less than great stories that their teachers are teaching....about Gaia, other religions etc etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 12, 2019 12:36:36 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 12, 2019 12:36:36 GMT -5
Titus 3: 9-15
Then there are things Paul tells Titus ( and all of us really) to stay away from that are unprofitable and worthless:
Things like:
foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law
Obviously if we live in the world, we are going to be exposed to some foolishness, but the idea is to steer clear of these things, don't get sucked in and start to debate and so on.
I don't know if this ever actually happened or not, but it is such an off the wall absurd thought, it seems like a good illustration:
Arguing....about how many angels could dance on a pin point LOL
We have a lot more pressing things to do, things that God wants us to deal with, and not such silliness.
when Paul mentions genealogies he is not talking about the genealogies in Scripture as they are presented.....
but perhaps as some do today
trying to use them as a proof of some sort of conspiracy based on family lines
(even IF some of it were even true to some extent....it is a worthless past time.....
spending time concerned about how to get the gospel to such people, if possible, would be a better past time.
And if such foolishness becomes outright apostasy and false teaching, such people are to be warned....2 times if necessary and then excluded from the church....not burned at the stake or thrown in prison etc but nevertheless, this must be dealt with severely
and the Biblical way is to reprove him first and then remove him.
However, it seems after Titus gets things in order, Paul did not intend for Titus to stay indefinitely there
but when he sends as replacements then Titus is to leave and go to Paul in Nicopolis.
"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there"
But first Titus is to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way....
and
"see that they lack nothing"
These of course are waaaay more important things to be doing that debating about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin LOL or what family line is the anti-Christ going to come from ( it really does not matter.... in that....he is going to come....period) etc. etc. etc.
Therefore:
"And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful".
These are the things, deeds etc. as Christians ( along with spreading the gospel of course) we need to be spending time, thought, money etc on.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Titus
Oct 13, 2019 9:06:59 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Oct 13, 2019 9:06:59 GMT -5
Soooo not choosing based on the short length LOL
And
I forgot to ask ahead....once again sigh!
I will start on Hebrews today.
Since its Sunday and I think there might be a lot in each verse
and
plus doing the intro also,
I may break the first chapter in half.
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Titus
Oct 15, 2019 10:50:11 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Oct 15, 2019 10:50:11 GMT -5
Opps! Sorry, you are right of course...and I knew that arrrgghhh
I had to watch the kids a lot yesterday and it was one of those, not good days)
2-3 hours at a time, and Leonard had to cut short his turn which meant a longer 2nd time for me ( and cut short my time to eat, do Bible study etc.)
I know you have 'suggested' ( ok maybe you were doing more than 'suggesting') that when I watch the kids I am in charge
But Brian's kids can be a handful!
In the past when it was just Devon ( or even when it was Vanessa also) if I asked them to do this or that there was no whining, argument,etc.
And if I ask his children to turn down the volume of video games ( I am beginning to truly hate hate hate video games!!! arrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)
they will do that
but to suggest they do not play them all day long
is a catastrophe...they will DIE
of boredom
there is NOTHING else to do
their DAD lets them
They will DIE of boredom, there is NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING else to do
and on and on
and I am tired of fighting this battle also.
Especially when I was not feeling well to begin with
Plus they fight and argue with each other endlessly......
For some reason my 2 did not
and Devon and Vanessa did not
But Rylan and Aaliahyah argue over everything every little thing under the sun!!
Who got more food, who bumped into who, who said what to whom
its endless
they want to drag the adult into it so they can accuse each other
but if the adult stays out
that's fine too
they just escalate the screaming to a higher level with each other.
If they both have an electronic game they are basically less at each others hair....
but its like the old days of placing kids in front of a TV
Its sad and annoying but I am also really tired these days.
Sorry, I really got off on a tangent huh? ( roll eyes) LOL
It is hard dealing with children that have been in a lot of bad situations and I have not had much to do with their lives until recently ( and their dad has different values)
He recently told them all ( Devon wanted my help on this issue)
that all religions and their books.....exaggerate....and he is pretty sure the Bible does too).
Soooo many battles on so many fronts.....
Devon and Aaliayah have some heavy duty atheists teacher.....
Rylan has actually been blessed with a teacher who goes to our church ( tho he cannot say much, he nevertheless says a lot more than I thought....this is his last year of teaching so that might be part of his boldness, but he seems on fire for the Lord).
But the other two kids come home with less than great stories that their teachers are teaching....about Gaia, other religions etc etc.
At her house they have to obey her rules, they must speak respectfully to her and she insists they speak respectfully to their parents (when their parents come to Jenn's to tell their kids something or to visit with Jenn). They aren't allowed to go other places unless Jennifer knows the parents well and has cleared it with them. (but then the kids generally don't want to leave Jenn's house anyway lol). They have to do their homework after school before they can play. They aren't allowed to have and/or play on phones, or other digital gadgets or play computer games etc. They will say Grace before meals, they will clean up before they leave, and they will go home in time for her kids to take a bath and get to bed on time. On weekends it means they will go to church with Jenn's family. It's amazing to watch. Jennifer speaks to them calmly and in a normal tone of voice. She never calls them names and doesn't yell. The kids are always well behaved at her house (and mine too, the few times they've come). But you can hear their mother's yelling at them when they're at home, even when their apartment is another floor above Jenn's!
Kids thrive when they have boundaries, and they don't thrive and do well physically or spiritually when they don't. Of course the kids don't know that, and they do fight the boundaries, at least at first, but once established and consistently followed through with, kids do thrive. But trust me, kids know exactly which buttons to push to get what they want. They know to wait till you're tired and hurting. They know that game well! You'd all be better off at this point if you didn't have to watch Brian's kids. I don't understand why he can't hire another babysitter, although I can certainly understand why he wouldn't want to when he can get you to do it for free.  |
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Titus
Oct 15, 2019 10:57:33 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Oct 15, 2019 10:57:33 GMT -5
Titus 3: 9-15
Then there are things Paul tells Titus ( and all of us really) to stay away from that are unprofitable and worthless:
Things like:
foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law
Obviously if we live in the world, we are going to be exposed to some foolishness, but the idea is to steer clear of these things, don't get sucked in and start to debate and so on.
I don't know if this ever actually happened or not, but it is such an off the wall absurd thought, it seems like a good illustration:
Arguing....about how many angels could dance on a pin point LOL
We have a lot more pressing things to do, things that God wants us to deal with, and not such silliness.
when Paul mentions genealogies he is not talking about the genealogies in Scripture as they are presented.....
but perhaps as some do today
trying to use them as a proof of some sort of conspiracy based on family lines
(even IF some of it were even true to some extent....it is a worthless past time.....
spending time concerned about how to get the gospel to such people, if possible, would be a better past time.
And if such foolishness becomes outright apostasy and false teaching, such people are to be warned....2 times if necessary and then excluded from the church....not burned at the stake or thrown in prison etc but nevertheless, this must be dealt with severely
and the Biblical way is to reprove him first and then remove him.
However, it seems after Titus gets things in order, Paul did not intend for Titus to stay indefinitely there
but when he sends as replacements then Titus is to leave and go to Paul in Nicopolis.
"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there"
But first Titus is to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way....
and
"see that they lack nothing"
These of course are waaaay more important things to be doing that debating about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin LOL or what family line is the anti-Christ going to come from ( it really does not matter.... in that....he is going to come....period) etc. etc. etc.
Therefore:
"And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful".
These are the things, deeds etc. as Christians ( along with spreading the gospel of course) we need to be spending time, thought, money etc on.
Soooo not choosing based on the short length LOL
And
I forgot to ask ahead....once again sigh!
I will start on Hebrews today.
Since its Sunday and I think there might be a lot in each verse
and
plus doing the intro also,
I may break the first chapter in half.
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