Here are my thoughts and highlights from Titus as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • Paul entire focus for his life was "to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end." As a pastor, I remind myself constantly that part of my ministry is to raise hopes for people.
  • Paul gave these instructions for appointing ministry leaders. He said they should be well-thought-of. Their children should be believers. They should be a responsible leaders in their own home. They shouldn’t be pushy or short-tempered. They shouldn’t be a drunk or a bully or money-hungry. They should welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair and reverent. They should know themselves and have a good grip on the Bible.
  • "Their actions speak louder than their words." Influence doesn’t come through what we know but rather through how we act.
  • I’m reminded when I read the Bible that a good life usually happens as a result of have a disciplined life.
  • Paul warned about making sure our message is "solid and sane." He wanted to make sure we weren’t teaching anything that seemed "weird or misguided" to those outside the faith.
  • "Salvation’s available for everyone!" It’s an all-skate.
  • Jesus "offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness." I want to be a part of a people who make Jesus proud.
  • If you’re a leader, "don’t let anyone put you down."
  • As Christ-followers, we’re supposed to "respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand." Among other things, I believe it’s God’s will for us to be fully-engaged as citizens. At a minimum, that means we’re supposed to vote. No excuses.
  • "God’s people should be bighearted and courteous." Another reminder that our actions speak louder than our words.
  • "Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off." This is one of those sins that Christians tend to overlook. Drives me nuts. God wants unity among his followers.