Verse of the Day 11/8

Titus 3:8 New Living Translation (NLT) ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

 

For the past two weeks some of our high school students have been attending a study in the New Testament which is titled "Rooted".  In the last two weeks we've looked back on two Old Testament verses to show how the New Testament is rooted in the old.  Two weeks ago the focus was "trust in the Lord and do good" from Psalm 37.  This past week it was "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"  from Proverbs 3:5.

 

Today's verse from Titus brought the two together for me, restating these timeless truths.  The verse was in yesterday's "Today in the Word"  devotional.   In  a recent devotional of his own, James MacDonald brought these thoughts  together  again when he wrote in a devotional on Psalm 25., "Let me suggest that ultimate trust always involves learning and leaning. Trust is never on automatic pilot; never OK God, now I trust You, so what's next on the agenda? Everyday is a new day to trust. We choose to trust. Every experience in life becomes a new way to learn about trust and a new opportunity to lean on God. This principle is important to remember in those moments when you don't know what to do."

 

At least one thing in life is certain, we will face uncertainties which will require action on our part.  What will be behind that action?  Will it be faith that leads to trusting.

 

As Paul tells Titus and us, insist on these teachings of the Bible, Old Testament and New, learn them, apply them, and do good.  These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

 

Proverbs 3:6 ⁶ Seek his will in all you do,  and he will show you which path to take.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Titus 3:3-11

The Message (MSG)

 ^3-8It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.

 ^8-11I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. 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.