Wisdom and Praise Psalms 9, 39, 69, 99, 129 and Proverb 9
The blog is delayed because I had an appointment with my eyes dilated, and I could not see all day. I will get it added here as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience.
Songs I found Psalm 9 by Jason Silver Psalm 9 by Karl Kohlhase
~~~~~~~
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Yesterday, January day 1, I wrote a blog about something very painful to let go of. I’m waiting for some wisdom from others if this is something that I should share based on my promise to live life real.
sometimes God doesn’t decide to slowly ease you into His path. Sometimes it’s screeching brakes, quick look to see if there is anyone you are going to run over, and a turn before you crash into the exit barrier!
This is what January 1, 2023 had for me. Something that has been brewing for many years. Something that affects relationships that are over half of my age old.
And something I did not want to let go.
Is letting go giving up? No. sometimes letting go is letting God.
and sometimes you realize that the thing in God’s way is ME!
Maybe I will be given freedom to share that post – in the mean time, if God is asking you to let go of something extremely painful, maybe it’s because you are holding on too tight with both hands and need some freedom to see the situation with different eyes.
Hi! My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings,~ChristiPs 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Yesterday, I was organizing my Christmas ornaments, and there were many that were from before Jim’s passing, which is to be expected after 42 years!.. I was overcome with both nostalgia and grief.
I wanted to let go of the painful grief, but that is NOT what God would want.
When someone dies, if you are a believer in life after death, which as followers of Christ we are, they do not disappear, but rather “go into the next room”. There they wait(and celebrate with Jesus) until we come to meet them again.
3 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through[h] Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:[i] We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over[j] those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,[k] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage[l] one another with these words. 1 Thes 4:13-18 Holcom Christian Bible Study
As I look back on 2020, 20921 and 2022, I’ve been holding onto a lot of grief that I have not allowed God to process for me. On the other hand, I have had joy and peace because I have this hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I organize years of Christmas ornaments, and remember, joy comes, tears fall.
God is Good.
Psalm 30:5Holman Christian Standard Bible 5 For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.
I can let go of pain, but embrace the love that left the grief in it’s place as I remain here. It does not mean it is gone, but I’m taking back the power it has over me.
Hi! My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings,~ChristiPs 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
In 2019, I shattered my shoulder and stopped blogging because I could not sit at the desk and type.
In 2020, my arm was still in rough shape, and we were focusing on Jim’s battle with cancer AND the world wide issue with COVID.
In 2021 – I was focused on becoming the Widow Wildman
In 2022 – I took a journey, entitled “Widow Wildman Wanders West wondering what God wants of her”
In a few days, it will be 2023.
And God has given me another phrase (I don’t get one words like others).
LET GO.
Let go of what?
Let it go??? no, that is too small. I did have times over the past few years that I would find myself singing the Frozen song Let it Go, but that was more ‘in the moment’ type of letting go. This was bigger.
All preconceived notions
All assumptions
All perceived rights
All wounds that control me
22 You took off[i] your former way of life, the old self[j] that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed[k] in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on[l] the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,[m] because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin.[n] Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,[o] so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him[p] for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you[q] in Christ.
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 Holcom Christian Bible Study
So, let go of what I thought my life would be. Let go of what I wanted my life to be. Let go of my ideas about what I’m supposed to be. Let go of my assumptions and preconceptions of other people, even me. I guess it’s a deeper look at Let Go, and Let God.
I’m going to try to write something for the first 100 days, write something a week about my one word, work on sharing my books, work on Itty Bitty Bible Studies, and finishing out some series. I’m
going to let go of things that do not matter, and put on things that do. Join me, please!
Hi! My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings,~ChristiPs 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Some have asked me how I’ve gotten through the last five years… mental health mess, cancer attacking Jim Wildman, cancer attacking me, shattered shoulder in Mexico with two serious surgeries, fibro, cfs/me, nerve issues, vertigo, eye issues, and now, symptoms of this virus.
Some have said…
Forget God helping you through it come of why didn’t God protect you from it? (Does that sound like Job’s wife? Job 2:9)
But when we believe that there is a supreme being that watches over us, Who walks with us, even through The Valley of the shadow of death… and I’ve been in that Valley several times… that love is wrapped up with Adoration, Worship, Devotion, and mostly Trust.
The sheep don’t understand why the shepherd might move them from what looks like something beautiful to something ugly.
But the shepherd knows.
The cows don’t understand why the cowboy runs around them scaring them into a specific direction.
But the cowboy knows.
The patient doesn’t understand why she has to walk her fingers up the wall and step away and hold her arm in the air and then slowly let it down with some pretty definite pain.
But the physical therapist knows.
The dog doesn’t understand why his trainer continues to have her sit and stand and and down when all she wants to do is play.
But the trainer knows.
I don’t understand what the doctors did when they opened me up and traumatized bones and ligaments and muscles.
But the doctor knows.
I don’t understand in the middle of my storms what the purpose is,
but I know who rides on the storms And He knows.
And because of that, it is well with my soul. My God is so big, so great, and so awesome, that I can trust him with my “ifs”.
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
By all evidences other than the test, I may have it.
fever rising and falling…but nothing really high…99.2 is the highest, but 95.5 is the lowest.
I’ve talked to my doctor’s office, and I know what to do and what to look for that would determine if I’m to go get testing.
I have basically no voice…
I’m very tired.
I am self quarantined.
Of course, I had planned to isolate for one to two weeks when we got back up here from Florida, since we drove all the way through, and were in many rest areas. Then, my son-in-law and daughter decided that our distancing from each other was ridiculous since we live on adjoining lots. I went over to plan out our garden for this year….son-in-law handed me the baby…and the next day, I’m having fever-ish symptoms.
Everyone thought the cop would be the one that was most exposed…and, he probably is.
As I look out on the sun breaking through the clouds in NE Ohio, and the wet ground shining like someone varnished all the mud…I worry that I exposed my daughter and her children to this bug. No worry about it, I did.
My symptoms are mild…I just don’t feel good. not even really achy, but achy non the less.
no cough, though I haven’t had much of a voice for a week.
no sneezing, but I’ve been medicating for allergies all Spring.
I’m doing breathing exercises that I do after surgeries to prevent fluid building up in my lungs…to prevent pneumonia.
Now, here’s my thoughts for what it’s worth.
Big World Tale talks about this being the seventh plague in the Bible.
Is it? I don’t know.
I know that in 1980, we were sure we understood the signs in the Bible as telling us to look up for our redemption drew near! Luke 21:28
I have followed Hal Lindsey’s ministry for many years.
My first big Bible Study after getting married (no job for the first few months) was trying to line up the various scriptural premonitions/prophecies for the Last Days, Tribulation and Rapture.
For a quickie reference to scriptures that mention the end, Christian Crier has put together these top 7 scriptures on the end times. It does not include Daniel and Revelation timelines.
This is a cool study, though I can’t confirm it’s complete theological correctness…besides, prophesy is best understood looking back!
Why am I talking about “THE END”? Isn’t that depressing? Isn’t that scary?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through[a] Jesus.
15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:[b] We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over[c] those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,[d] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage[e] one another with these words.
In the Bible Hub, you can see that 1 Thes 4:18 can also be translated COMFORT!
In what is my comfort?
1 Thes 4:17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.
12:1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
This chapter goes on to talk about being SON’S OF GOD!
I’m not going to belabor the point of salvation, and the benefits and rewards therein.
This is about fear.
and faith.
and knowing.
SCARY
The virus we are facing today is scary.
The unknown is scary.
I know fear.
A long time ago, I wrote about Giant’s in my land, based on David’s life, and his need to slay giants.
Number two was There are Giant’s in My Land, Part two. It’s about the Giant Fear.
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan was also an inspiration of recognizing giants, giving them names, then taking back my power from them through Jesus Christ.
FAITH
Faith replaces Fear
Faith is NOT ignorance, or ignoring.
I know faith.
Actually – just go do a search for the posts dealing with faith…I try to LIVE by faith.
Faith doesn’t make sense…because if it made sense, if you could see it, it would not be faith:
Job 19:25
All the things Job went through, and he still declares that I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!!! AND ON THAT LAST DAY…
Am I sick? yes…though getting better.
Is Jim fighting cancer? yes…though God’s got it in control.
Has the world gone crazy with COVID-19? Yes…but those that believe in the dominion of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will not be swayed to fear. Anxiety now and then? probably. I have.
But we KNOW our end.
People say about the Bible – “I’ve read the ending and guess what? God wins!”
There’s so many things that can pull us away from trusting in Christ. WE FORGET THE END OF THE STORY!!!
We do have authority over fear.
And if it’s a mental health issue…God has graciously allowed medicines, and research, and service dogs, and behaviors to be studied to help us with the flesh/physical part so that we can dwell in the spirit.
Micah 6:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Mankind, He has told you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
James 1:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 Pure and undefiled religion before our[a] God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
John 13:34-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Search your heart if there is any fear.
Search your faith if there is any fear.
There are so many great chapters in the Bible to comfort us, because they tell us of those that have gone before, and made it.
Think of the Exodus…and what they went through to get ready to walk to the promised land!
Think of Ruth, who gave up everything, after she lost everything including her husband, brother in law and father in law…and completely changed her whole life.
Think of Jesus, who came knowing that He would die to pay the price for our sins…yep…even Him!
I’m finally able to type again, without massive pain in my right shoulder…see that attitude there? “finally”
I haven’t been waiting patiently through this trial.
But I know that my redeemer lives, and that 1 John 1:9-2:2 lets me know that He’s not surprised that I mess up, that I’m not perfect.
All he asks is that I Love Him…and let Him be Lord of my life. And by loving Him, and receiving His Love, I can Love others.
It’s in that love and relationship that my faith can grow, and I can know.
So can you!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Devotion
The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.
Yesterday, we looked at THE WAY.
Today, we’re going to look at the TRUTH.
Jesus says he is the TRUTH, but what is truth?
From Websters Dictionary
Definition of truth (Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1) : the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY
(2) : the state of being the case : FACT
(3) often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
b : a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true
truths of thermodynamics
c : the body of true statements and propositions
2a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
b chiefly British : TRUE sense 2
c : fidelity to an original or to a standard
3a : sincerity in action, character, and utterance
b archaic : FIDELITY, CONSTANCY
Blueletter Bible explains the Biblical usage in this outline
objectively
what is true in any matter under consideration
truly, in truth, according to truth
of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
in the greatest latitude
the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
Strongs G225 simplified says this:
I. objectively;
1. universally, what is true in any matter under consideration (opposed to what is feigned, fictitious, false):
John 1:14 & 17 says
John 1:14-17 King James Version (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jesus says He is the Truth.
John describes Him as bringing Truth.
The Religious leaders told him that he taught the truth in Mt 22:16, Mk 12:14, and Luke 20:21.
Ephesians 1:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Thing – Part of our Armor! Loins girt about with Truth! Eph 6:14
Person or Character – God is not a liar – therefore God is true: – Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18 and
Numbers 23:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
In fact, Hebrews 6:18 says that it is an immutable thing…God cannot lie! Part of His Character!
Person – Jesus promises a comforter…the Spirit of Truth! John 15:26,
John 14:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Person – The Spirit of Truth is our Teacher.
John 16:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Who is this comforter? The Holy Spirit, the third person in the God head! For more info on the Tri-unity of God, Lent Day 7
Jesus is the Truth
God’s Word is True.
Jesus is the Word.
We are sanctified by the Word.
Jesus is God
God cannot lie.
The Holy Spirit is God.
The Holy Spirit is Truth
The Holy Spirit is the comforter that Jesus sends back to teach us all things of TRUTH!
What are the “doing” parts?
Part One – teachings – The Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth…because Jesus promised that
So that we can gird our loins with TRUTH.
So that we will not be deceived by the enemy.
So that we will be set free from the lies that surround us.
How can this be a concept, a person, thing and an action at the same time?
By Faith, we Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – TRUTH as a person.
God’s heart is that all will come to the knowledge of truth – 1 Tim 2:4 – TRUTH as a concept to be taught.
We are told to obey the truth in Galatians – TRUTH as a concept and action.
We are told to gird our loins with TRUTH – TRUTH as a noun
God is only known in spirit and in truth. He is OTHER. This is a whole study unto itself. The thing is, that we believe it because God said it, and we trust His Words. It is because HE is. It is by faith, through grace.
Romans 10:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The opposite of truth is deceit.
I don’t want to list these verses, and fill up this blog, but, for further study, here is a list of scriptures about deceit from Bible Study Tools.
Colossians 3:9-10 King James Version (KJV)
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Deceit is part of the old man – the man without the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Remember, we are known by our fruit!
Jesus is the TRUTH – and by allowing him to enter into our lives, and make us new, set free from the old man, we are back in relationship with the God who Is TRUE, and we can be filled with the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will guide us into all truth!
In that light, we can Psalm 37:3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies. This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information. I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!
In IBBS Titus the Introduction, we talked about Paul confessing to be a servant, and that translates to being a slave – but to whom?
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus’s Ministry in Crete
5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
Let’s break these down quickly.
Who was Paul?
Titus 1: 3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:
Paul didn’t walk with Jesus.
He seems to feel like he is an apostle out of his time.
Jesus revealed his message to him, specifically, and called Him personally.
Acts 9:1-9 2 Corinthians 12
In IBBS Galatians 1:1-10, I talked about Paul defending his apostleship.
He begins many of his letters with just such defense. It’s as if he’s listing his qualifications as an apostle.
Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith.
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Who was Titus?
Wikipedia has a great summary about Titus, Saint Titus, verses Titus the Roman Emperor.
The international Bible Society gives some information on Titus in it’s intro to Titus.
Christianity Today gives a bit of the Bible Timeline history of Titus.
Apparently, he was someone Paul led to Christ.
Apparently, he was called into the ministry, and served with Paul.
Apparently, he was sent out to minister to Crete, and this is where this letter comes in.
When was this?
From the International Bible Society:
Paul possibly wrote from Macedonia, for he had not yet reached Nicopolis (see 3:12). The letter was written after he was released from his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28), probably between a.d. 63 and 65 (see chart, p. 2261)—or possibly at a later date if he wrote after his assumed trip to Spain.
Why?
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
To complete a work.
To appoint elders.
Next time, I’ll talk about the importance of elders, and watchmen and overseers for the body of Christ, or God’s people, since it starts back with Moses, but for right now, this is the purpose.
Did you notice I skipped something?
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Romans 1:7 KJV
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:3 KJV
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colosians 1:2 KJV
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The BibleHub has quite a collection of cross references for Grace and Peace based on the verse Romans 1:7
It’s as if this is a theme to Paul! A constant Prayer.
Grace…
Peace…
Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version (KJV)
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Is he praying for our salvation? I don’t know…but I’ll take all the grace, mercy, peace, faith and love that I can get. What about you?
Ah, there’s the Where!
Crete…Greece. Preaching to the gentiles!
Next – the requirements for being an elder…you might be surprised at my take on this!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I’ve been meditatiing on the WORDS of Christmas – Joy, Love, Peace – and they are the first three fruits of the Spirit:
Eph 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
There are ornaments all around that have these words on them – but recently, there are new ones popping up that say “I believe”.
There is a current cultural thing to say I believe – but the question I ask is “what do you believe?” or more specifically “In WHAT or WHOM do you believe?”
belief implies faith
from Merriam Webster:
Full Definition of faith
plural faiths play \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāthz\
1
a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty
b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2
a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs
The word Belief is used to define the word faith.
The Bible defines Faith this way: Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hope is another word that is thrown about at Christmas time, and it goes hand in hand with Faith.
When something is created, it is created with some sort of substance. A Lego Milkshake is made by the substance of legos, the legos are created by the substance of plastic. before the legos, there came the idea, and the hope that it could be done, and the faith that all their experiences and knowledge would be able to see the final product.
Jim with a Lego milkshake
Before it was a real lego milkshake, it was a thought in someone’s mind. They believed they could build legos, and they believed they could use those legos to build a milkshake. First, they had the thought, and they HOPED they could do it. The milkshake was not seen, until they went through the steps to build it. Once it was seen, there was no need for faith, belief or hope. They KNEW they could do it, because they had the visible proof before them. But someone first had the thought!
Faith – one of the definitions is “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”
Many people say that those of us with religious faiths have ‘blind faith’.
My faith is not blind.
I cannot explain creation around me without the knowledge that there was a creator.
If a camera had a creator, then how did the eye just happen?
If prosthetics have creators, then how did the foot, ankle, knee, wrist, hand, elbow, hip just happen?
Man cannot create water – how did it get here?
How does the bumble bee fly?
How does the hummingbird fly?
Why are we at just the right distance from the sun to maintain warmth, with the moon exactly the right distance to cause the tides? Just because Star Trek found all sorts of class M planets does not mean there really are. But if there were, how did they happen?
And then, there are those that will not believe in a creator God that created, and is intimately involved in the lives of His children. They believe in Aliens that came and planted us here.
Well, God is alien to us – his ways are not our ways.
He is infinite, I am finite.
He is omniscient, I only know what I know.
And what I know is that there is a creator for this creation.
I have faith that Jesus Christ is His Son, who came, lived, died and rose again on my behalf.
My hope is that someday, I will see him face to face.
And when that day comes, there will be no more need for faith, because we will know all things and know Him completely.
What do you believe?
Whom do you believe?
And does it make your life better for the believing?
The ornament for today is a cross – to signify in Whom I have faith.
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
I actually like the corner stone idea or the rock. As you said Jesus is our rock and cannot be moved or shaken. It also made me think of (and I know this is Easter) but when the stone was moved from Jesus’ grave. How stones are frequent in the word and are powerful things no matter how small. Wind, just like sin, is invisible but you can feel it and know it’s there but wind, like sin, cannot move a stone and the stone is like the word of the Lord.
Rebecca Graves:
I kept thinking of the song On Christ the solid rock I stand. I am glad my feet are not on sinking sand. Altars in the old testament we made of a pile of rocks. They were remembrances of what God had done strewn around the landscapes in various places.
And Rebecca’s post brought this reply from Nellwyn Blackmon:
…that reminds me of one of my favorite verses. ..Psalm 40:2
I love having friends that share my faith, and can give me input into how to worship and honor my Lord and Savior.
Jesus is the rock
Jesus is the solid rock on which we stand…as opposed to sinking sand. Ps 40:2(Ps 27:5; Matt 7:24-27)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Jesus is the corner stone the builders rejected, as in the leaders of the church of that day. Ps 118:22
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
He is our shelter, our refuge(as that rock): Ps 61:3
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
There is the verse that says that we either fall upon the rock for forgiveness or the rock will fall upon us to crush us. The relationship with the rock depends on our heart towards the rock.
Another focus is that we are to build a foundation based upon that rock – Jesus. 1 Cor 3:11
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
We build upon the Rock of Jesus by listening to His words: Matthew 7:24-25
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Ornaments:
Rocks from Craft store
Affix paper clips with hot glue
Jesus is the Rock ornament
These are not typical Christmas/Advent hymn, but are the perfect explanation of why it is so perfect as symbolism for Christ:
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
Let go of what?
