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Titus 3 - Why You Should Vote on November 3rd?

Click to Read or Listen to Titus 3 Overview of Titus 3 Verses for the Day Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. What Does This Mean? Today there seems to be only distrust by disdain for our government. A lot of people have stopped watching the news. Or, they get in a really bad mood after watching it. Why? Because there is nothing positive or seemingly redeeming about it. However, I believe despite the amount of diviseness and vitriol which spews forth every day from both political parties, we need to both be aware of what is happening in our world and stay involved in the political process. And think today and other biblical passages would back that up. The most obvious way to do this is to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd.   This is one of the most sacred and important rights and freedom we have in our country as we...
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Titus 2 - Grace Is Our Teacher!!!

Click Here to Listen to or Read Titus 2 - NIV 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. What Does This Mean? Again today Paul is teaching Titus about the interplay between grace and works. Or, probably more aptly how grace transforms us, so that works flow and our character is displayed. Though we are not saved by works, grace still teaches us to say "no to ungodliness and worldly passions".  You might say that grace teaches to say "no" to things, as it is not a " get of out jail free card ". (Bibleref.com) Grace and godly living are not op...
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Titus 1 - What Does Sound Doctrine Mean, And Why Is It Important?

Titus 1 - NIV   Overview of Titus Summary: Paul's letter to Titus was written in the mid-60s AD to establish church leadership and confront false teachers on the island of Crete. Key Verses in Chapter 1:5-9: The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. What Does This Mean? The word " elder " also means " ove...
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2 Timothy 4 - Church Shopping Is Not All It's Cracked Up to Be!

2 Timothy 4 - NIV 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. As Paul closes his second letter to Timothy, he gives him his final charge. Paul feels, " the time of his departure is near" .  Paul is writing from prison and facing imminent martyrdom.  As you read through this whole chapter, you will see several names of peop...
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2 Timothy 3 - What Do You Need the Bible For?

2 Timothy 3 - NIV 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. We know from 2 Timothy 1, that Timothy was greatly influenced by his mother Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. In Acts 16, we learn that Eunice was a Jewish believer, and Timothy's father was a Gentile. We don't here anything more about him, but we do know that Timothy's grandmother, Lois, also played a major role in his Christian upbringing.  Paul reminds us that Timothy was brought up to know the scriptures even from infancy, which could mean either an infant or young child. In either case, Timothy...
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2 Timothy 2 - Why Is Grace So Amazing?

2 Timothy 2 - NIV 2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. We know grace is a gift. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Grace is often explained by the acronym,  "God's Riches At Christ's Expense!" It is by grace God saved us, and His grace will lead us home.  So, what does Paul mean when he tells Timothy to be "strong in the...
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2 Timothy 1 - Why is the Gospel Like a Deposit We Need to Guard?

2 Timothy 1 - NIV 2 Timothy is the apostle Paul’s final personal letter, written from a harsh Roman prison around A.D. 67–68 as he awaited impending execution. Paul wrote to his young protégé Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus, to pass on his mission and encourage him to stand firm. Key Details • Author: The apostle Paul. • Recipient: Timothy, Paul's "beloved child" in the faith. • Location & Date: Written from a Roman prison shortly before Paul's death, around A.D. 67–68. • Main Theme: Endurance in the gospel and faithfulness to sound doctrine amidst suffering and internal church attacks (Gospel Project) Chapters 1–2 (Call to Endurance): Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's imprisonment. He uses analogies of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer to illustrate the sacrifice and hard work required to follow Jesus. (Gospel Coalition) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the...
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