Titus was a trusted leader in the early church that Paul commissioned to raise up other leaders. The three chapters of the letter to him are very practical in teaching Christians to conduct honorable lives. He warns against being unproductive.

As we continue in prayer, study of the Word, and faithful church attendance, God will impart clarity on opportunities of service in His Kingdom. Obedience to His promptings will combat lack of productiveness and lead to greater fulfillment and opportunity. One act of obedience can lead to a lifetime of reward.

READ/LISTEN: 2 Tim. 3,4; Titus 1-3

Paul prayed for Timothy constantly both night and day. [2 Tim. 1:3]

The influence and effectiveness of prayer becomes more prominent the longer you know the Lord.  I remember my Grandmother Faith Demos telling me that she felt the Lord was prolonging her life so she could pray for family members. I believe the Lord has challenged me to do the same … maintain a volley of continual prayer for those I love. I include Trinity Christian School in that category.

Physical, financial, and time constraints can’t deter or minimize prayer’s impact. It is better known as intercession.

READ/LISTEN: 1 Tim. 5,6; 2 Tim. 1,2

Paul was convinced of his calling to preach and teach about Christ. He termed it his appointing. Because he was very sure of his mission, he could devote his energies to his calling with maximum efficiency.

It’s been said,”You must aim at something, for if you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it.”

If you are in doubt of your calling, simply ask the Lord to confirm it. He won’t scold or reprove you.  He has a reason for you to live.

READ/LISTEN: 1 Timothy 1-4

The Christian life is not stagnant. We grow into the fullness of Christ and His teachings. Paul commended the Church at Thessaloniki for their progress in the faith, marked by an increasing love for all.

The ups and downs of life teach us to depend more fully upon the Lord’s strength. Mature saints get more loving and understanding as they grow older. A Christian grandparent is capable of the kind of unconditional love that their grandchildren really need. They have been down the road of faith for some time. To quote a current TV commercial, they’ve “Seen a thing or two.”

READ/LISTEN: 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Paul gave an insightful piece of advice to the Christians at Colosse when he said, “Always let your speech be gracious, pleasant and winsome with truth and clarity sprinkled in like salt.” Solomon pointed out that the virtuous woman had an unwritten law of kindness in her speech.

In effect, we are all salesmen for the Lord. When we talk, those in the world around us should notice and be attracted to our conversation in such a way as to be curious and welcoming to the Gospel message we have. When we walk away from someone,  they should be more open to the Lord than when we met them.

The ability to talk and communicate is an amazing gift.

READ/LISTEN: Col. 3,4

My son saw a famous football player at a restaurant recently. The man sensed Jeffrey knew who he was so he tried to inconspicuously evade Jeffrey’s attention.

Although Christ was co-creator of the universe and is presently the ruling being over all authority, He graciously pursues us to have a personal relationship with us. By His Spirit, He wants to reside in our hearts. There is no greater person in the universe, yet He is always totally available to us when we call His name.

Also, he is not ashamed of us. We definitely should not be ashamed of Him.

READ’LISTEN: Phil. 4; Colossians 1,2

Paul considered everything that was not directly fruitful to God’s Kingdom as garbage. Earthly indulgences had no pull on him. He was laser-focused on accomplishing God’s will and purposes in the earth and had no time for carnal distractions.

This past Sunday, I gazed at hundreds of valuable cars at a big show. These were the pride and joy of their owners who had them all parked in orderly display fashion. Some of them were valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Honestly, I am probably more happy with my pickup truck than many there were with their cars. They were (almost) garbage.

I’d rather have Jesus.

READ/LISTEN: Philippians 1-3

Paul gives practical instruction on how to be effective, constructive members of Christ’s body while in His absence to the church at Ephesus. He identifies leadership and service categories to clarify chain of command in the Church. Ongoing prayer for all is at the heart of his instruction.

Present day Christians are encouraged to be about Godly disciplines of prayer, maintaining good works, and being filled daily with God’s Spirit to be used in ministry gifts to then speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. He blasted any form of sexual sin or drunkenness.

READ/LISTEN: Eph. 4-6

When a person accepts Christ, they are thereby cleansed of their sin by the blood of Jesus instead of the blood of an animal sacrifice. Christ’s Spirit takes residence in their heart and they become God’s home on earth. He doesn’t live in buildings men make with their hands. He lives in the lives of people He has created for Himself.

How is your housekeeping? Since we are the place where God lives, are we taking care of it in a manner that He deserves? He should be our first consideration when we make decisions that affect His home. Our bodies, our minds, our appetites … we are wise to consider His preference rather than our own.

READ/LISTEN: Eph. 1-3

It’s been said, “Your life is the only Bible some people read.” Paul encourages Christians to treat everyone with Christ’s love.

Can you imagine Christ Jesus being a snob? Yes, He cleaned the money-changers out of the Temple and was tough on hypocritical religious leaders, but we can’ t imagine Him walking around with a scowl on His face. Everywhere He went, people experienced God’s love in the flesh. He was full of God’s Spirit.

As we give Christ first place in our daily lives, we too will exude God’s love to all men.

READ/LISTEN: Gal. 4-6