- Tuesday, 5/5/20 Titus 2:1-2, ...the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be ...temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience. “Healthy” doctrine demands the mature men be “temperate”: self-controlled; moderate in opinion and passion. Implied is a willingness to listen as well as voice. Psalm 106:1, Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. The verse is written in reverse order. He is (& always has been good, as evidenced by His everlasting mercy...realizing that prompts us to give thanks...which leads to praise (bragging on another for their acts.) He IS good; are you thank-FULL? Are you bragging on Him to Him and to others?
- Wednesday, 5/6/20 Titus 2:1-2, But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men ...sound in faith, in charity, in patience. What makes for “healthy” doctrine? Men are to be healthy in their “reliance on God,” their love, and their ability to cheerfully endure and continue in the face of problems. Luke 8:18, Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. A reminder that we are to hear so as to implement. Simply hearing the Bible preached is just entertainment. We are to DO something with it: we’re to incorporate it into our lives; change some aspect of our character, build something up inside of ourselves or tear something down. We’re to repent; we’re to serve more fervently; we’re to rely more fully. Are you simply listening to preaching or are you HEARING it?
- Thursday, 5/7/20 Do others find you attractive? Does God? Psalm 138:6, Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. He is attracted to lowliness: a humble, honest demeanor and He is repulsed by pride and arrogancy. So, are you charming to God? 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. “What have you done for Me lately? Are you still fighting? Fighting sin in your life; fighting your own rebellious nature; fighting the satanic opposition. Are you still on course? Are you earnestly following Me, seeking My face? Are you keeping the faith that you were handed down by those who preceded you? Are you handing down your faith to anyone else?”
- Friday, 5/8/20 1 Timothy 1:2, [Paul] Unto Timothy...grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace, mercy, and peace are extraterrestrial commodities. To have them or give them, we must go to an out-of-this-world Vendor. (Beware: there are cheap local imitations available.) Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Notice that it says “unity” not “union.” How to live with your brother (Part 1): 1) Realize that each of us is an individual with equally valid viewpoints and worth. 2) Realize that wherever 2 are together there will be conflict. 3) Emphasize your commonalities and not your differences.
- Saturday, 5/9/20 Psalm 137:4, How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange (foreign) land? These people were put into a setting that was outside of their comfort zone and they wilted; they quit doing what they had always done. How resilient are you? Really, the question is, How deeply do we REALLY believe what we SAY we believe? Is God still good in the valley? In Babylon? Do what you’re supposed to do...always; everywhere. Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Notice that it says “unity” not “union.” How to live with your brother (Part 2): 4) When looking at your differences, realize that YOU(I) may be the one who is wrong and needs to change. 5) Be far more loving and gracious than you expect to receive in return, and then do more than that. 6) Realize that the Holy Spirit lives in you, and puts up with a far greater deviation than you are.
- Sunday, 5/10/20 Daniel 2:21b, [God] giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. God is a wise investor: He puts more wisdom and knowledge to those who’re using prior wisdom and knowledge already. How’re you doing with the basics? (Tithing, soul winning, honesty, holiness, walking with God, humility, anger management? Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Notice that it says “unity” not “union.” How to live with your brother (Part 3): 7) Remember that the other IS your BROTHER. 8) If necessary, move out/on without destroying your familial ties. You can get another place to sleep more easily than you can get another brother. 9) God is pleased when His kids get along, even if it’s hard. 10) In our living situations, we’re still supposed to put pleasing Him first, i.e. do it by faith.
- Monday, 5/11/20 Psalm 109:26-27, Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy: that they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it. Upper level Christianity: wanting God to be clearly seen in your success. Actually living the verse: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Psalm 109:2-4, For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. Christianity 101: How to deal with enemies: Pray, for them for God to reveal Himself to them; pray for yourself to do rightly and respond rightly and in a Christ honoring manner; pray that you’ll be honest and humble enough, and be willing to see and change any of your own ways that may be provoking them. If we’re not Christians in the fire, we’re not much of a Christian...
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