Titus 2 - 4.17.26

Scripture:   Titus 2:11-15

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 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.  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Observation: 

Paul is instructing a new leader, Titus, to restore order in the church in Crete from false leaders who were trying to take over.  He gave instructions on what to teach them.  These truth’s are universal and are great lessons for all Christians to learn and share. 

He then states the reason, God’s grace is for all people.  It is the key to teaching us to say no to the world’s passions that will pull us away.  

Instead we should:

- Live self-controlled

- in good standing with others

- godly

- Wait in expectancy of Jesus second coming

Then he admonishes Titus to encourage and rebuke with authority. Do not let anyone despise, hate, scorn, dislike, you. This last one seems hard to do.  How, aren’t there always going to be people who disagree? I’m thinking that we can’t let them get in our head. As we truly walk with love and authority, we will command the respect. It may mean to take the conversation private and to not let them talk down to you in the presence of others.

Application: 

Verse 15 stood out to me. This can apply to so many different situations. How can we (I) do what it is saying. We have such an important goal, people’s salvation. The enemy is going to try to stop us.

God has given us the command, “Go and make disciples, …… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Matthew 28:19

We need to do so in the authority He has given us because He is with us to the end of the age.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all you are doing in my life. You’ve given such excellent commands. They are not meant to have us function as robots, but in freedom. You have a design for older to teach younger. You want us to make disciples. Thank you for your word and guidance. Help me know that you are with me. You protect, lead, and guide me.  Help me speak with authority that is God given to me.  May everything be driven by love. Thank you for always being with me in all I do. Amen

- Cindy Howard

Zechariah 10 - 04.16.26

SCRIPTURE

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is The LORD who sends the thunderstorms. HE gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

The only command in the chapter is in verse 1.

“I, the Lord, am the one who sends storm clouds and showers of rain to make fields produce. So when the crops need rain—you should pray to me.”

‭‭(Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭CEV‬‬)

God meant for this command to be taken both literally and spiritually. They were to ask God for the spring rains for their crops; but also, they were to ask God to pour out His spiritual rain on His parched people. God promises to bring His scattered people back to the land and to strengthen them to walk in HIS name. So Zechariah exhorted them to ask God to send rain to fulfill these promises.

APPLICATION

God’s abundant PROMISES for HIS people

should motivate us to PRAY for their fulfillment.

Zechariah reminds us of the importance to PRAY.

We Pray to Remember that The LORD Alone is the Source of ALL Blessings

God commanded them to ask for rain. Rain is a natural phenomenon. Scientists can explain the process without mentioning God. However—when they can’t figure out, why or how, they attribute it to good old Mother Nature! But don’t let them fool you: It is God who sends rain!

If the crops grow, it is because God makes them grow.

Likewise, If you sit down, with a roof over your head, to a meal that you bought with the money you earned, from a job you work at, with the skills you have—it is God!

God provided the skill, that got the job, that earned the paycheck, that paid for the food and the roof that covered your head while you sat and enjoyed the meal.

ALL GOD!

and I (you) need to give thanks to Him.

God is the source of —every—blessing.

We Pray for God’s Promises TO Realize The Fulfillment of HIS PURPOSES.

When God tells His people to ask Him for the spring rains,

We are literally praying for —spring rains. In other words…asking God for basic provision.

But, also, we are to Pray for Spiritual Rain

to fulfill His promises, to save, restore, and strengthen His people for His glory.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done…”

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act—in order to fulfill HIS good purpose.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may HE work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. HE fulfills the desires of those who fear him; HE hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

YOU are such a Good and Loving Father. Thank YOU for who YOU are. HOLY and Worthy to be Praised. Awesome and Sovereign. Thank YOU for the gift of Prayer. Thank YOU that Your ways are Perfect. Your Kingdom Come. Your Perfect will be done.

Forgive me for the many times I run ahead and think in my mind or heart..I will do this or today I will do that. I can do nothing apart from You. Send Your rain Lord Jesus. Send Your Spiritual Rain upon Santa Clarita where You have positioned us and Send it upon our nation and Send it upon Israel.

Help my heart and mind to seek YOU and acknowledge YOU in all my ways. Give us genuine disciples who desire to serve YOU. Help me to be a good steward of what You have provided. May Your Purposes be fulfilled.

In Jesus Name.

Tina L Kudelka

2 Timothy 4 - 4.15.26

Scripture

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2)

Observation

The books of 1st and 2nd Timothy are Paul’s instructions to a young pastor, Timothy. In these verses, Paul reminds Timothy of his first and foremost mandate and calling which is to preach the word. Be prepared in season and out of season. As children of God, we cannot take a vacation from our relationship with Christ. Our identity is that we are the children of the most High God. We need to be prepared at all times to preach the word, in season and out of season. 

As a spiritual father or mother, it is important to correct, rebuke and encourage the people whom God has entrusted us with to mentor. Those of us who are parents correct and discipline our children when they don’t do the right things. Correction is never pleasant to the child, but it is the duty of the parent. The parent disciplines the child so that he/she grows up to be a Godly adult. Similarly it is our responsibility to correct our spiritual children, when we see them going into sin. If we keep silent and do not correct them so that we remain in their good books, we are not being good stewards and God will judge us (Ezek 3:18).

The original Greek language in which the New Testament was written, is a much richer language than today’s English. I like the Amplified Classical (AMPC) version of the Bible, because it uses more English words to translate a Greek word, so that it conveys the original intent of the Greek phrase. 

This is how this verse is written in AMPC: “Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.”

Application 

We need to be ready all the time (in season and out of season) to share the gospel, when God presents an opportunity. We don’t know when the opportunity would come, so we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and walk with God everyday.

All of us are called to be spiritual fathers and mothers. The great commission in Matthew 29:19 says “go and make disciples of all nations”. This commandment is applicable to all of us.

This involves investing in the lives of the people God brings to us and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. It includes teaching them God’s Word regularly and correcting them when they fall into sin.

Prayer

Father, I praise you and thank you for making me your child. Please help me to be ready in season and out of season to preach your word (2 Tim 4:2). Help me to draw closer to you everyday. Please pour your Spirit upon me (Acts 2:17). Help me to be filled with your Spirit (Eph 5:18). I pray that the word of Christ will dwell in me richly (Col 3:16). Please give me the tongue of the learned, so that I should know how to speak a word in season to him one is weary (Isa 50:4). Please open my eyes and help me to move out of my comfort zone to serve you. Please take me to the people I need to disciple, and help me to invest into the lives of those you bring to me. Help me to use the gift I have received from you to serve others, as faithful steward of your grace (1 Peter 4:10). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George