Titus 1: We Need Strong Leaders

We Need Strong Leaders

Paul begins this letter to Titus (another church leader and supposed mentee) with instruction, similar like what he told Timothy. In Titus 1:7-8 Paul says "For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." In other words the church leaders (deacons, pastors, priests, etc) need to not be like "everyone else" so to speak. They need to have a higher sense of morale and hold themselves to a higher standard than many others would. They need to have self control and not be drunkards nor be quick to get angry. When the leaders hold themselves to a higher standard, they set the example for other believers.

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Wednesday Wake Up #17

When You Get Angry

When was the last time you were angry? I don't mean angry that your favorite show got cancelled or your favorite team lost, but angry to the point where you could not sleep. Do you have your answer? Now, I ask you what did you do with that anger? Did you just ignore it like it didn't exist or did you let it explode? Please don't tell me that you went to social media to complain about things that you just need to deal with. But there are much more productive things to do with anger and knowing how to handle it than just ignoring it or letting it consume you. Do you agree?
 

As we read through Proverbs (which is a great start if you have never read through the Bible), I come across Proverbs 29:11 which let us know that giving full vent to your anger is foolish. It also informs us that self control is what the wise people do. That means when you are angry, don't go punch someone. That means do not go yelling at them. There are time we are angry about how we perceive someone's words rather than what they really mean. I have been guilty of that before and had arguments with people about what they said and how I perceived what they said without actually having a conversation about it. What we need to do is focus on what would actually anger God and seek to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit and walking with the Holy Spirit (more on that later).

We also need to deal with the anger in that moment. I know from personal experience that if I do not deal with that anger, it will stew. That is when the devil take a hold of my thoughts and pulls them away from the Holy Spirit. Then I will keep replaying what was said or done and start trying to connect things and maybe even add an attitude of righteousness on the other person. That is letting bitterness grow. How many times do we get mad at someone and then completely ignore them based on what happened? Deal with the problem. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us that we can be angry, but in that anger do not sin. We cannot let the sun go down on our anger. I mean truly, how often do you get mad at someone and talk about it the next day and settle it? I would be willing to assume that not many people confront and deal with issues in the moment. They walk away mad...and got to the passive aggressive Facebook post. Let's stop Facebooking and start facing the problems with the use of the Book (Bible)!!

And when we do respond, do we respond with gentleness, or do we respond with yelling, sarcasm or undercutting people with insults? It is interesting that when we get angry, we throw the ways of Christ (like being loving at all times) out of the window. Then we run those ways over with our car. C'mon people!! Let's start responding in love for others and know that whether we know someone well or not at all, our words reflect our heart and have an impact on other. Respond in love and not in wrath (Proverbs 15:1).

Whether it is anger or sadness or lust and knowing how to deal with these feeling and thoughts when they arise, we must rely on the Holy Spirit. That is God's will for our lives has to be our will. If it is not, then one cannot expect the Holy Spirit to guide them if they have not sought that guidance in the first place. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father, not one of the ways, THE WAY. He tells us in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. If you are not with the Holy Spirit and you keep having the same problems, then the answer is pretty clear on what needs to happen in your life in order for you to deal with the problems as they arise. Follow Christ and the Holy Spirit will guide you.

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Friday Focus #10

We Do Not Have to Fall to Temptation

Life is full of temptations. We are tempted to do many things from act out on our aggression, lie on our taxes, cheat on spouses, look at adult oriented imagery, have too much alcohol to drink or over eat. Some of these temptations are so a part of our culture that we have accepted them as part of our life and acceptable. But, it isn't about what is culturally acceptable. Culture changes every so often, but God's Word stays the same. That is the measuring stick by which we live life, not what people think we should do or what we think we should do.

In James 1:13-15 we have to recognize that temptation is not coming from God. God doesn't tempt us He directs us. Satan tempts us by what our desires are. I do not have the temptation to get drunk, but someone else does. Others don't have the temptation to over eat or eat the wrong things, but I do. When we give into temptation is when it turns into sin and when sin is full grown it becomes death. Not physical death, but a spiritual one in that area that can spread to other areas of our lives.

How do you fight against the temptation to go against God's will? Well, after recognizing that you are being tempted you can immediately go to God. Ask God to cover and protect you as you face this temptation (Luke 22:40). You don't have to go at it alone. Not only can you talk to God, but you can also tell another believer. Do you have an older person to confide or a friend that also follows Christ? Tell them what you are struggling with. I would hate to struggle in an area and not be able to open up to another believer (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Two people + God = a three fold chord that is not easily broken.

 Remember too, that whatever you deal with, is something that someone else has already gone through. Someone else has had the same temptations you have already had (1 Corinthians 10:13). God provides a way out and will not let you be tempted past what you can deal with. Follow His path.

Facing Temptation- Open Bible verses

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Friday Focus #1

Pray for Who?

On Wednesday, we dove into understanding we need to have capital F type of faith in our capital G God in regards to our prayer life. We can pray for nice clothes and a bigger house and better job, which all are focused on us. But what about the prayers for others? Not just our friends and our family members and loved ones. Anyone can pray for that. I'm pretty sure everyone who prays for people includes praying for people that they car for. Now, let's take it a step further. Loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. What would would we do that? Because Jesus said so.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus covered a lot of topics from the Beatitudes, being salt and light of the earth, Christ fulfilling the law, anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation....and loving our enemies.

I don't know with whom you have anger towards. Is it an ex-girlfriend/boyfriend. What about a parent? Maybe it is a sibling?? Are there any co-workers or employers or supervisor that you are mad at and get angry with every time you think about them or see them? It doesn't matter who it is, you can pray for them. No one says you have to be best friend with everyone, but we can pray for those that we have problems with. Pray for them to be healed from whatever the issue is. Pray for yourself to be healed from the relational strain. A lot of times we don't want to admit that we ever did anything wrong.

We can also pray for those who persecute us. They attack us because of our race, religion or political beliefs. Pray for them to see you for who you are and not just under an affiliation. One of the most loving things you can do is get to know someone for who they are see past any prejudicial barriers.

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