“I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:24 NLT).

October 30, 2019

THE LORD HIMSELF IS MY INHERITANCE The prophet Jeremiah cried out to God for the fallen city of Jerusalem, and for his own homelessness and suffering. Yet, in the midst of this sorrowful lament, Jeremiah looked to God for his inheritance. Rather than look to worldly things, he looked to the Lord Himself as his

“Your prophets have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins. Instead, they painted false pictures, filling you with false hope” (Lamentations 2:14 NLT).

October 29, 2019

BE WARY OF PREACHERS THAT GIVE FALSE HOPE Jeremiah lamented the failure of Judah’s prophets to preach God’s Word and to call His people to repentance of their sin. Instead they filled the people with false hope. The last days of Jerusalem before its fall to Babylon were marked by a people with “itching ears”

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5 NLT).

October 28, 2019

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED IN CHRIST ALONE Be careful not to judge unbelievers as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which

“Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching” (Titus 2:7b NLT).

October 27, 2019

DOES YOUR WALK MATCH YOUR TALK? Paul taught his spiritual son, Titus, to be careful that his way of life was consistent with his teaching. Certainly, this would’ve been an even more important concern for a younger man like Titus.   Two traits were commended to him: 1) Integrity – wholeness of character that matches

“He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong” (Titus 1:9 NLT).

October 26, 2019

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THOSE WHO PREACH THE WORD Paul gave his son in the faith, Titus, a list of qualifications for elders, in order to establish the church on the island of Crete. He concluded the list with three traits concerning the handling of the Gospel and of the Word of God. These three traits for

“Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you” (2 Timothy 4:5b NLT).

October 25, 2019

FULFILLING THE MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN YOU As Paul faced the real possibility of execution for preaching the gospel, he gave final instructions to Timothy. He wanted Timothy to be unafraid of suffering and willing to work hard for the sake of the Good News. Like a captain issuing orders to one of his men,

“Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach” (2 Timothy 2:8 NLT).

October 23, 2019

WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS? What was the “Good News” that Paul preached? Answer: Jesus Christ, Son of David, crucified and raised from the dead. This is the news event that we are to proclaim. For the gospel is not good advice, it’s good news. And news is to be announced. Some will believe and

“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8a NLT).

October 22, 2019

ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS? What causes us to feel shame to speak of Jesus? There are at least three reasons: 1) Lack of spiritual zeal. We don’t feel worthy to talk about Jesus because we are not living as we should. 2) Believing the enemy’s lies. These lies tells us that

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10 NLT).

October 21, 2019

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE SHOULDN’T LOVE Money is a means of exchange, a morally neutral thing that is useful when rightly used. Yet, the love of money is idolatry. It puts money in the place of God. Rather than saying “in God we trust,” it puts its trust in money. The one who loves

“Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader” (1 Timothy 5:22).

October 20, 2019

LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM PAUL TO TIMOTHY Good leadership advice. Before elevating someone to leadership, put them through a time of testing. See if they are F.A.T. (Faithful, Available, Teachable), then set them apart and give them some authority. Better to be short on leaders for a little while than to rush to raise up those