DATE POSTED: Friday, October 6, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Titus 2:1-2; 6-8;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: But as for you, teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine [which produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians]. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].
In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: My attention was drawn by God to the fact that Titus was instructed to teach in a manner that would ensure men live a life that reflects that which is expected of God. This was a ‘wow’ moment for me, because it hit me that when we preach, or when we teach, we should be using the lens of ‘promoting purity with God’. I believe our challenge for today is to make sure that we can walk away from a sermon and/or teaching and analyze what must change or improve in our lives to ensure that we better align our lives with God’s perfect will.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: To the women that may come across this devotional, please be comforted in knowing that Paul didn’t lose sight of those things that would help you in living more like Jesus. I will plan to cover that in my next devotional, Lord willing! But for today, I pray that all teachers, preachers, and hearing men will be drawn to this teaching God inspired to be included in His Word. I don’t believe that I am alone in sharing that I sometimes walk away from a lesson wondering what must have been on the heart of that teacher, or preacher, that provoked the passion, or the words, or the subject of their teaching, or sermon, I heard that day. I agree that the Word of God, just like our verses today, will provoke thoughts of what we or our hearers may need to be reminded of. But there are so many times that teachers and preachers are sidelined by the political or criminal or social affairs of our city, state, country or world, that they find it necessary to share their personal opinions, in hopes that they might get everyone else thinking along the lines that they do! To those who co-labor in the work of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, please allow me to encourage you to consider using the lens that Paul so carefully handed down to his student, or disciple, Titus. I believe this means that whatever we share in blogs, social media postings, Bible study, or in pulpits, be sure that it serves to promote lifestyles that will help readers or listeners better identify themselves as children of the King. If they don’t know our King, be sure that your words and illustrations will help them desire to know the God of this universe and want to follow His example. If our words may not achieve this goal, then we should refrain from sharing, as it may serve to do just the opposite – push people away from wanting anything to do with the same God that we know but refuse to rejoice in or share with them. I agree that using current events usually helps hearers identify how the Word of God is relevant to us today, but if we share in line with the lens already mentioned, then the world will come to know Jesus and how He is still relevant – even today. To the men who take their role seriously in their homes, their workplaces, their communities and wherever they find themselves, Paul has some key advice for us:
a). Be temperate – Mild, gentle, pleasant, agreeable, fair – those are words used by the dictionary to help us understand ‘temperate’. I believe I can add ‘be approachable by others, willing to listen to them and help them’. It is so easy to see in others the flaws of not being temperate. Lord, please open our hearts and our eyes to ensure that we follow in Your footsteps and be temperate in our demeanor.
b). Act dignified – in all humility, let’s always remember that we are princes – sons of the King. Let not the world bring us down to their level to show that we love and care for others or deserve an audience with them. We must earn their respect.
c). Be sensible – Although I am known as one that kids around, I believe we must be sensitive to the needs of our fellow man and be willing to meet their needs and encourage them, as appropriate. This would entail an intimate relationship with God and a willingness to complete His mission as He directs us to it.
d) Be sound in our faith – Interesting how couples who have been married a while could complete sentences for each other. No doubt this comes from years of being with each other and paying attention to the heart, soul and thoughts of each other. Similarly, a person who is dedicated to their Lord, reads His Word and meditates on His teachings, will discern His heart for His children and be willing to carry out His desires. Those who are not sound in their faith will be wishy-washy and stand for anything the world throws at them.
e). Reflect love – The Bible best describes ‘love’ as something that God demonstrated through His Son, who hung on a cross and was crucified, so that we – His children who did nothing to deserve forgiveness, might live eternally with the Father. Unconditional, sacrificial, without prejudice, love – I believe that’s what we should reflect to convince the unsaved world that Jesus lives inside of us.
f). Be steadfast [Christlike in character] – I find it interesting that Apple Watch now has a feature that measures our steadiness, or lack of balance! I wonder if Jesus props us up when we fall short, or become unsteady, or inconsistent in Christlikeness! Notice that the Word does not say that this is the way we should behave in church, or just around other Christians. But if the unsaved see Jesus in us, they are more likely to believe in what they heard from the Bible. Let us therefore be ‘steadfast’ in our commitment to God, our obedience to His Word, and imitate His example, even before the unsaved that we interact with.

Paul goes on to tell Titus why it is important for him to minister to the men. For in verses 6-8 Titus should insist that the younger men also be ministered to and taught how to live a godly life. I wonder if, with the introduction of television, big sporting events, online gaming and other devices of Satan, that these may not be the reasons why it seems like we are losing a whole generation of young adults? With each of the things mentioned, fathers and sons seem to separate even more in playing, working, training, and sharing the gifts God gave to them. Businesses are challenged to find good, dedicated, trustworthy, steadfast men to carry on their business in a manner they have used to please customers of every generation in the past. Who will future generations of young children be taught and mentored by? Who will tell them of Jesus? There must be a group of dedicated and committed men to show and tell the young men how to live – God’s way.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Many may look at the Bible as a place where God tells us what not to do, but praise God that after a list of teachings Paul gave to Titus, he told him that these changes in a man’s life will cause the enemy to be ashamed of saying anything bad about us! This is the answer to many of the situations where Satan and his band of demons seem to verbally attack us, and gossip against us, without reason, on too many occasions – praise the Lord!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, thank You for opening our eyes and reminding us that, no matter how afraid we are of being attacked by the enemy here on earth, we can turn to Your Word for direction and training that will keep us aligned with Your will. Thank you for the reminder by Paul that if we obey You and Your commands, the enemy will wind up regretting their intent to destroy us, because they will see so much of You and Your character lived out in our lives. Lord, we want the unsaved to also see You in everything we do and say, so I ask that You guide us to develop these characteristics listed by Paul. We know that this will come from a constant, daily refresh that we could gain from reading Your Word and developing a closer relationship with You. So, as we commit to this, I pray that You will encourage us each day to be true to our commitment to You and to live out the principles that we are reminded of as we delve into Your Word and seek Your direction. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!