Paul’s Letter to Titus.

Titus was a Greek follower of Jesus. He was sent to the Island of Crete off of the Grecian shore to restore houses of the lord.

There is a term in Greek literature called Kritizo which means to be a liar (to be a Cretan). They were notorious for things such as treachery, violence and sexual corruption. Paul looked at Crete to be a perfect place to host churches because of its many harbors and the amount of traffic it had as it was known to deliver goods throughout different parts of the Mediterranean. But due to its nature a lot of corrupt leaders came and took over said churches and started spreading false news. Titus was sent to set things straight.

Titus’s mission was to spread the word about hope of eternal life as promised by the God that does not lie. This is an important factor because the Cretans historically believed in the Greek gods including their “chief god” Zeus, who was well known as a liar, manipulator and deceptor. Paul wanted to be clear that this God, the true God did not lie and has promises of eternal life and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christian life is about truth and faithfulness which is completely different than what they historically believed.

Titus first line of work was to devote new leaders or elders whose way of life matched more with the Christian way of life. These leaders were to be mature husbands and fathers who are known for their integrity, devotion to Jesus, self-control and generosity, not only in their home but in their community as well. They wanted to replace the corrupt leaders with these types of men.

Some of the things that the corrupt leaders were teaching was that Christians had to observe the practice of Jewish religions, such as reading the Torra in order to follow the Jewish Messiah and they were motivated by money alone. While they claimed to know God, their Cretan way of life and actions showed that they deny Him.

Due to what was portrayed by these leaders it set a bad example for Christians and what they stood for. They discredited God’s word and made the Christian life not as compelling.

Titus 2: Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus is being called to teach the Cretans about how to be truly devoted to one another and the mission that God truly stands for. It is a completely different value system than what the Cretans are used to.

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.

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

God’s grace demands a whole life response.

• Judah doesn’t focus on theology but moral choices
• Loving Jesus = Obeying Jesus

Jesus had four half-brothers; Jacob, Joseph, Simon and Judah. (see Matthew 13:55)

Judah is the author of this chapter. He was initially going to write about the salvation in Christ but instead felt compelled to instead write warning us against false prophets and corrupt teachers. He addresses those who distort God’s grace as an excuse to sin. and reject the authority or Jesus.

Jude was very well versed in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish literature and he makes a lot of cross references to other stories and biblical figures. He refers to Israel’s rebellion, rebellious angels in Enoch, the men of Sodom, and even the testament of Moses; pointing out the sins that the stories hold such as those who rebel against God’s authority, the sexual immorality and the rejection of God’s messengers.

He then brings up those who have corrupted others in three more old testament references. He reminds us of Jesus’ reminder in Matthew about corrupt teachers coming and distorting the Good News.

Metaphor: Community of Jesus = “God’s New Temple”

• Prayer in the Spirit
• Love of God = Obedience
• The Most Holy Faith = The Good News

Praise the only God that can keep you from stumbling.

Jude 1: But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Knowing Jesus = Knowing the God of Love

1 John

• Isn’t just a letter but a poetic sermon
• All the key ideas comes from Jesus’s final speech in John Ch. 13-17

1 John 1: ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

God is light. If you keep Jesus commands to love one another you will also walk in the light. Those who continue to walk in the darkness and allow hatred in their heart are not true followers of Christ, according to the command. We have been forgiven of our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.

Also, do not deny the Son of God. Those who truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God will find favor and forgiveness.

1 John 3: ¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

• Beware of anti-messiahs and deceivers
• Know the truth
• Do what is righteous in HIs sight

God is love. Trust in God’s love. Allow God’s love to guide our hearts and override any fears that we may have. Trust God’s love and that His testimony that Christ is king and that acceptance in that and love for your neighbor will lead you to eternal life.

1 John 5: ¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ²⁰ We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

2 John

John warns the church against deceivers and false prophets.

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

3 John

Be welcoming of your brothers and sisters. Those who share with you the truth and the light.

⁵ Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. ⁶ They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. ⁷ It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸ We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

The Challenge of Haggai

• Our choices matter.
• The obedience of God’s people is part of how God works in the world.
• This should motivate humility and action.

Haggai’s ministry was to call the people to finish the Temple. This was taken place after the Babylonian Exile to New Jerusalem. (see 2 Kings 24-25)

1: 1-15 Haggai claims that the people are putting their houses before the House of the Lord and putting themselves above God. He points out that this could be the reason their harvest is low and they aren’t as blessed as they one were. So they decided to rebuild the temple.

2: 1-9 Elders who remember Solomon’s temple compare this new one to the old. Haggai addresses these shattered expectations and and remind them of the promise of God’s future kingdom.

2: 10-19 Two months later, Haggai addresses the call to convent faithfulness.

Impurity= Injustice, apathy

Obedience = Blessing

Unfaithfulness = Ruin

Only true convent faithfulness will lead to the coming of God’s kingdom and blessing.

2: 20-23 The future hope of God’s kingdom could be in the hands of Zerubabbel who is from the line of David.

Did you know that there are five books of the bible that are only 1 chapter long?!

1. Philemon
2. Obadiah
3. Jude
4. Second John
5. Third John

First John is 5 chapters and I’ll probably read more of that before going into second and third but today we are going to summarize Philemon!

Philemon was one of the letters that Paul wrote from prison! As a little backstory, Philemon was a Christian who started a church with a guy named Epaphras in Colassae. (see. Colossians 1:7) In the letter you will see that Onesimus used to be a slave of Philemon and he wrongs him by thievery and flees. Onesimus finds Paul and becomes Christian. This letter is a plea to Philemon to forgive Onesimus.

Paul starts the letter with a prayer. Thanking God for Philemon’s love and faithfulness.

⁶ I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

Partnership here can also be translated in Greek to Koinonia which means sharing or multiple participation. All of Jesus’ followers are equal partners who share the gift of God’s grace and love. To Paul, Koinonia is not just an idea, its something you do.

Onesimus has become Paul’s child as he has converted him to Christianity. He wants this conflict to be resolved among brothers. Paul makes a huge request for Philemon to take Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother.

¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians you hear that reconciliation is an important part in Christian faith. Making appends and being at peace with one another. “God was reconciling the world in the Messiah to Himself. Not counting peoples sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) With Koinonia they are equal before God, sharing the same need for forgiveness. No longer are they master and slave but brothers in the Messiah.

Colossians 3:11 ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

In verses 17-19 you see Paul pleads saying, if you are truly a partner with me, then welcome Oneismus as if he were me. if he’s wronged you or owes you anything, charge it to me and I’ll repay it.

This is the only letter where Paul doesn’t talk about Jesus but instead it appears that he is acting it out. The implication of the good news are personal but not private. Jesus’ family is a new humanity. Who share together in God’s equal mercy.

There is only one chapter in Obidiah which is one of the reasons why I chose it for one of my daily readings.

In this story you read Obidiah’s vision that the Lord has sent him in regard to Edom. For a little back story context. Jacob’s decedents lived in Israel and Esau’s decedents lived in Edom. (Gensis 25-27) Babylon invades Jerusalem (2 Kings 25), and Edom plundered Israelite cities and abused refugees (Psalm 137:7, Ezekial 39, and Amos 1: 6-9).

Verses 1-14: Obidiah describes Edom’s pride and self-exaltation and how that is going to be the fall of their nation. “As you have done to Israel, it will be done on to you.”

Verse 15: “The day of the Lord is near for all nations.”

Verse 16-21: States that judgement will come for all prideful nations. He promises restoration of God’s kingdom for all nations.

Edom’s pride was an example of the human condition and their downfall points to the coming of God’s kingdom for all nations.

Edom as an image of Adam (humanity)

For the next 70+ days I will be completing the 75 HARD for Jesus Challenge. During this time I will be challenging myself both physically and spiritually. I have been meaning to get more in my word (the bible) as well as being consistent in my physical fitness journey. I feel like this challenge incorporates both of those beautifully.

• 1 Chapter in the Bible everyday
• Workout 5 times a week
• Track your protein grams
• No gossip
• Prayer walk everyday
• Fast 1 thing for 75 days
• Practice gratitude
• Progress pics/measuring weekly.

The main focus for this challenge is to practice consistency and being intentional with our behavior. I am very excited to continue this journey. The first book that I decided to go into was Ruth. She only had four chapters so it was a pretty easy read, plus it read like a story so it was exciting to get to know Ruth and how she fell into the linage of the (future) Messiah.

Ruth

Chapter One:

In chapter one you are introduced to Naomi and her two daughter in laws, Orpha and Ruth. All three of them lose their husbands to a famine within a ten year span; meaning that Naomi has lost her husband and both her sons. Naomi and her daughter in laws set journey to return to Bethlehem for they heard that the Lord has blessed his people and there was food there.

Naomi tried to convince her daughter in laws to leave her side and return to their mother’s homes for she had nothing left to offer them, no sons and no promises of a fulfilling future. Orpha returned to her mother’s home but Ruth stayed.

¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

People were excited to see Naomi back home but when she returned she instructed her friends to call her Mara which translates to bitter because by taking her husband and to sons the Lord had made her so. Naomi can be translated to pleasant.

Chapter Two:

Ruth begins to work by collecting the leftover grains behind harvesters in a land owned by a guy named Boaz. He’s very wealthy and a distant relative to her late husband, Elimelek. (I called him Eli for short) Boaz took notice on Ruth and when he realized who she was he offered to take care of her while she worked and said she could come back anytime. He even told some of his harvesters to purposely drop extra grain to her fill her basket.

¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. ¹² May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

Naomi was pleased that Boaz showed kindness to both the living and the dead. Boaz was considered their closest relive and she even called him their “family-redeemer” is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty and since they were clearly eating leftovers and in need; He showed them kindness and protection.

Chapter Three:

Naomi plans for Ruth’s future, stating that she is ready to find a new home for her. Naomi plans for Ruth to go to Boaz first, as the family redeemer. He spends the night in the threshing floor, where they separate the good grain from the bad grain and Naomi suggest to Ruth to go lie with him (not sexually) and uncover his feet. This is an Israelite custom to invite him to legally take ownership of his relatives land and wife. It was also a tactic I think to wake him up from his sleep gently as the night air dropped. This text has been interpreted differently by different people but this is how I’m taking it.

¹⁰ “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. ¹² Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. ¹³ Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

He agrees to take Ruth in but only if a younger, better relative doesn’t take her. He promises to provide for her and take care of her.

Chapter Four:

Boaz askes the younger redeemer if he would take Ruth as his wife and he declined. Boaz then took Ruth as his wife. Ruth then had a son named Obed with Boaz. Obed was the grandfather of King David who is apart of the genealogy of Jesus.

¹³ So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. ¹⁴ The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ¹⁵ He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. ¹⁷ The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

So if you remain faithful to the Lord and hard working in tough times, you may end up being blessed by the Lord. In His timing.

with love,

c.p

Trusting in the Lord:

• Allow God to be Lord of your life: Honor Him All
• Wisdom grants us safety and longevity.

Proverbs 3: 1-4 His commandments keep us safe. Loyalty and kindness secure longevity. Remember King Solomon wrote this in a letter format to his son so he is speaking to his future child or child but we typically relate this to our “Father” who is in heaven speaking out us. It feels very correctional and instructional as a father would be. He tells us to tie loyalty and kindness around our neck, (aka wear it with pride.) You will earn favor with God and people if you keep these things close to your heart.

I feel like he highlights “and people” because people matter. Sometimes we like to think that “it’s just me and God” but God calls us to be in communion with other people, to love others and be kind.

Proverbs 3: 5-12 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” He is asking us to rely on Him and have faith in Him. Rely on His path and what he has planned for your life. From Proverbs One we dove into the idea that God is a good father and gave us a book of wisdom in order for us to not make these mistakes. He wants us to trust in Him even though the world is corrupt and full of evil.

“Do not depend on your own understanding.” Our own understanding can be described as our own opinion. What we think is best before we ask for His input or guidance. I believe that there are times where we feel like we know better than God or we feel like the plans we have for ourselves is better than what God intended for us. We should always ask God before pursuing anything in life.

God is healing. When we turn towards Him and away from evil we can find healing in our spirit. We can become sick from being cruel and evil to others.

Lean on Him in everything that we do. Do not be impressed with our own wisdom, do not be boastful in what you know. Trust in Him in everything, including friendships, relationships and finances, etc. Honor Him wit your wealth and everything you hold dear and He will return it back ten-fold.

The second sin ever committed was Cain and Abel in Genesis. Cain grew jealous of Abel because He was God’s favorite but in truth Abel was God’s favorite because he was producing his best and giving it to God where Cain was lackluster in his labors and did not care as deeply for what he was providing. God wants the best parts of us. He wants us to do our very best and do it for Him.

Allow this thought to enter your mind whenever you feel weary of work. Remind yourself that you are doing this for Him and those you care about.

3:11 Don’t reject the Lord’s discipline and don’t be upset when He corrects you because the Lord corrects those He loves. He doesn’t want your heart to harden over His correction, He wants you to grow in faith and grow closer to Him. We want to be more like Him and sanctify us.

Proverbs 3: 13-24 Wisdom pays better than gold does. King Solomon is writing this in a way that intrigues the reader. He compares wisdom to the riches of the world. To have wisdom is to have everything. When you have wisdom you are walking in a way that is safe and secure. Wisdom gives you the insight and intuition to do right. God is our advocate and He is calling on all of us to be present and to be here. You will find joy and happiness when you sit in wisdom and seek understanding.

Proverbs 3: 25-35 While you are in the valley of the wicked do not get trapped with them. Wicked means those who follow their flesh and the desires that come from that. God knows are hearts fully and even though we can fall into the ways of the wicked, our hearts can still be pure. The goal is to live for Him and become one with our heart and soul. God is our refuge. He will show us the path when we heed God’s word and follow his plan. Inherit honor and remain humble in your ways.

Unless you are born again you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life as humans give birth to human life. Spirit is like the wind, you can’t see it or where it comes from or where it goes but you feel it and you know that it is there.

“I assure you, we tell you what we know,” and seen and yet you will not believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe in me when I tell you about earthly things how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” John 3:11-12

Jesus is explaining to the people how he knows in His heart where their faith lies. Even as He tells them about things that can see and witness, they hold onto their doubtful heart and deceitful mind.

“For this is how God so loved the world: He gave His one and only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His son into the world not to judge the world but to save it through Him.” John 3: 16-17

God sent Jesus to prove to the world that His love is unfailing. He wanted to give Jesus as a key to the promised after-life. An eternal life full of love and grace and beauty. Jesus was not sent to be a judge but to spread love and peace and wisdom beyond understanding. Only God can judge when the time comes.

“And the judgment is based on this fact: “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near near it for the fear that their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3: 19-21

God never calls us to be perfect. He calls us to come into the light and try to live a righteous and true life.

Jesus is sent by Gid and he speaks God’s word, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit.

In John chapter two you witness one of Jesus’ first miracles. In the wedding in Cana in Galilee, Jesus turns about twenty to thirty gallons of water into wine. This is when the disciples turly believe he is The Chosen one.

Near the time of Jewish Passover, Jesus went to Jerusalem and noticed people were selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices in the place of worship. He chases the merchants out exclaiming, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

John 2:17 “Then His disciples remembered this prophecy from the scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

The Jewish leaders were angered by this proclamation that He is the Son of God. Jesus makes another proclaimation in refernece to His body being raised in three days. John 2:19-22 He tells the Jewish leaders to “destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days.”

At this point, many people begin to believe in Jesus because of His marvelous signs but Jesus didn’t trust them.

John 2:25 “No one needed to tell Him about human nature for He knew what was in each person’s heart.”