Titus 2
2:3 Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good. 2:4 In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5 to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands,....
Today we will further the thought from the last post with the following:
"Is your REFLECTION attracting other women?"
Our verse from last the last post ended with "teaching what is good" which means that a woman's REFLECTION should be an example of what is fitting. The next word I would like to pull out is located in verse four and it is TRAIN, which means "to make prepared or form by instruction". This is kinda heavy but here it goes. A woman's REFLECTION presents information that prepares other women to responded in obedience to GOD. In other words, how she acts can make the difference between someone else GROWING or NOT GROWING in Christ.
Matt. 28:19, 20 states that we are to be making disciples or helping others to become more like Christ. How many young women do you know that need to become more like Christ? Well, your REFLECTION is all the training they need. Exhibiting fitting behavior leads to developing a teacher/student relationship with younger women. The verse says "train" and its impossible to do so without the RIGHT REFLECTION AND RELATIONSHIP.
There are two types of people that young women today will not respond to.
1) Women they don't know and 2) Women who do not reflect what they are trying to teach. Music videos and fictional novels have become replacements for teaching younger women how to date, dress and develop but the scriptures state that it's the duty of every Christian woman to develop a RELATIONSHIP that is a good example to those around her.
Your REFLECTION should attract people naturally. Let me make a quick point about ATTRACTION to put this together. Paul teaches in Ephesisans 5 that Christ sanctified the church for the purpose of presenting her to HIMSELF as glorious. In other words HE didn't do it for the church to be glorious to others. Its kinda like when I purchase my wife a new fragrance to wear when we go out on a date. I do it because I love the scent she gives off and not to attract other men. But because she gives off a nice fragrance when she walks by, naturally she has the attention of other men. The reflection of a fitting behavior should come naturally because its who you are and in the process it attracts others who love being around you.
IS YOUR REFLECTION ATTRACTING OTHERS IN A WAY THAT IS HELPING THEM GROW IN CHRIST?
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Can you see your Reflection?
Titus 2
2:3 Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.
For the next few messages we will discuss issues dealing with women. Next we will deal with the bruh's. So today lets look at the following thought: Can you see your Reflection?
Do you remember the following nursery rhyme? "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" The Queen, Snow White's stepmother, would always ask that question and the mirror would always say that she was the fairest of them all. But when the mirror found out about Snow White, it had to tell the truth.
Today we can stand before the mirror of Titus 2:3 and see our real REFLECTION! There is an important word in the verse that I would like to pull out, EXHIBIT! This word means to show or display outwardly as a visible sign or action. In other words, beauty is more than a woman's "good looks" but it’s about how she lives her life. Her behavior is her REFLECTION.
The New American Standard says that she should be reverent in her behavior. Everything she does should be honorable. We can find an example of exhibiting an honorable life from Proverbs 31. A few characteristics are: 1) A woman should be priceless, 2) Trustworthy, 3) Wise, 4) A giver or someone who is hospitable, 5) Dresses well, 6) One who is looked up to by those who know her and 7) One who fears the LORD. A real woman exhibits a holy lifestyle not the opposite.
In the verse above we find an example of the wrong behavior. Women are not to be slanders! The New American Standard version says they are not to be malicious gossips. Its interesting because the Greek word for malicious gossips is diabolos which means to falsely accuse. This is the same character trait that the devil exhibits. Remember in the book of Job when he went before GOD as Job's accuser?
Of course, this is just one example of the wrong character trait for a woman but there is a reason for its use and we will wait for the next message to put it all together. But for now, what does your REFLECTION look like in the mirror of scripture? Holla~
2:3 Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.
For the next few messages we will discuss issues dealing with women. Next we will deal with the bruh's. So today lets look at the following thought: Can you see your Reflection?
Do you remember the following nursery rhyme? "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" The Queen, Snow White's stepmother, would always ask that question and the mirror would always say that she was the fairest of them all. But when the mirror found out about Snow White, it had to tell the truth.
Today we can stand before the mirror of Titus 2:3 and see our real REFLECTION! There is an important word in the verse that I would like to pull out, EXHIBIT! This word means to show or display outwardly as a visible sign or action. In other words, beauty is more than a woman's "good looks" but it’s about how she lives her life. Her behavior is her REFLECTION.
The New American Standard says that she should be reverent in her behavior. Everything she does should be honorable. We can find an example of exhibiting an honorable life from Proverbs 31. A few characteristics are: 1) A woman should be priceless, 2) Trustworthy, 3) Wise, 4) A giver or someone who is hospitable, 5) Dresses well, 6) One who is looked up to by those who know her and 7) One who fears the LORD. A real woman exhibits a holy lifestyle not the opposite.
In the verse above we find an example of the wrong behavior. Women are not to be slanders! The New American Standard version says they are not to be malicious gossips. Its interesting because the Greek word for malicious gossips is diabolos which means to falsely accuse. This is the same character trait that the devil exhibits. Remember in the book of Job when he went before GOD as Job's accuser?
Of course, this is just one example of the wrong character trait for a woman but there is a reason for its use and we will wait for the next message to put it all together. But for now, what does your REFLECTION look like in the mirror of scripture? Holla~
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Spoken Word: WHAT A GOD
A deep breath I take, inhaling the air of a new day, as my eyes open I stretch my legs and feet as the thought hits my heart to pray, “Get up”, “Get up”, I hear the tender sound, of a voice so sweet, but yet so profound, that said to me, I AM THE ALPHA and OMEGA, He who set you free, gave you liberty, yes you indeed, who was once bound, lost but now found, there is none like Me, huh, no not one, who loves you so much that He gave up His only begotten Son, tell me, this, can anyone else proclaim?, let him come and straighten things out, that we may all know just who ordained, heaven and earth, took dust that was plain, shaped it, blew into it, and gave life to a man that He named, can anyone, can anyone proclaim?, No, I AM THE LIVING GOD, and there is none like Me, then, without hesitation or reservation on my knees I fell, bowed head and closed eyes, with my heart I began to meditate, thinking about what just happened how GOD HIMSELF set the record straight, by you I have a new day and that I appreciate.
Friday, April 07, 2006
MENTAL INSIGHT
Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
What in the world are you thinking about today? What has you so distured that you can't stop thinkin about it?
....The bill collectors are going to call today so I am going to let the phone go to voice mail?
...My car aint working right but I gotta get to work cause if not they gonna trip?
...Nobody seems to appreciate the work a bruh/or sista do around here and I am sick and tired of it?
...I need another job cause I aint makin enough money to make it?
...Wish I had somebody to be with then I wouldn't feel all alone?
...I can't have another year like last year cause its gonna drive me insane?
STOP ! Because the passage says to "...think about these things" that are true, worthy of respect, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Now each of these can be sumed up in one word. GOD!! Yeah, Yeah think about HIM.
...Bills due and car aint workin...GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory!
...People may not appreciate you but GOD is love and HE gave HIS SON for you!!!!
...Single or married and feel all alone but GOD will never leave you or forsake you!!!
....Feel like you gonna loose your mind just tell it to the LORD and then the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!!!!
Today lets not be MENTALLY INSANE but lets have MENTAL INSIGHT!! THINK ABOUT GOD!!
What in the world are you thinking about today? What has you so distured that you can't stop thinkin about it?
....The bill collectors are going to call today so I am going to let the phone go to voice mail?
...My car aint working right but I gotta get to work cause if not they gonna trip?
...Nobody seems to appreciate the work a bruh/or sista do around here and I am sick and tired of it?
...I need another job cause I aint makin enough money to make it?
...Wish I had somebody to be with then I wouldn't feel all alone?
...I can't have another year like last year cause its gonna drive me insane?
STOP ! Because the passage says to "...think about these things" that are true, worthy of respect, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Now each of these can be sumed up in one word. GOD!! Yeah, Yeah think about HIM.
...Bills due and car aint workin...GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory!
...People may not appreciate you but GOD is love and HE gave HIS SON for you!!!!
...Single or married and feel all alone but GOD will never leave you or forsake you!!!
....Feel like you gonna loose your mind just tell it to the LORD and then the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!!!!
Today lets not be MENTALLY INSANE but lets have MENTAL INSIGHT!! THINK ABOUT GOD!!
Monday, April 03, 2006
WE Can't Wash It Off
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV)
This verse is one of my favorites. Lets look at this thought: I CAN'T WASH IT OFF!
I had plenty of fun back in the day when I use to hit the clubs (RJ's By The Lake). You know, try to get there when it was free, buy your drinks early and dance until they told you "you ain’t got to go home but you got to get out of here". When I look back I remember paying at the door and getting a big stamp put on my hand. The stamp is what the club used to show you paid just in case you wanted to step outside for a sec.
After hours of dancing (which made most folk sweat like a field hand) I would make my way to a semi lit area only to find that the stamp was still there. After the club shutdown, I would make a stop at IHOP for a little food and after washing my hands I looked down only to find the stamp still there. I would go home and take a shower, sleep and wake up the next morning and guess what was still on my hand? That’s right, the stamp. It seemed like nothing I would do could remove that stamp from my hand. The verse above says that we have been "sealed" with the STAMP (so to speak) of the HOLY SPIRIT!
Because GOD has chosen us for salvation, nothing we do could ever wash away the SEAL. That's good news! Paul tells us in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us for the love of GOD. I don't care what sin we have committed believers are still SEALED until the day of redemption!
Now before somebody gets it twisted, let me make something real clear. Being SEALED doesn't mean we should live any kind of life!!! Its like this, if the city was about to be hit by a nuclear bomb but someone told you they had a place that would keep you safe would you go? And if you go, would you be grateful enough to do what they asked? Look, because we have been SEALED (put in a safe place) we should be grateful to GOD and live the way HE wants us to because HE saved us from the HELL BOMB. Lets live life obediently for THE LORD because we have something that always shows we belong to HIM, which WE CAN'T WASH OFF!
This verse is one of my favorites. Lets look at this thought: I CAN'T WASH IT OFF!
I had plenty of fun back in the day when I use to hit the clubs (RJ's By The Lake). You know, try to get there when it was free, buy your drinks early and dance until they told you "you ain’t got to go home but you got to get out of here". When I look back I remember paying at the door and getting a big stamp put on my hand. The stamp is what the club used to show you paid just in case you wanted to step outside for a sec.
After hours of dancing (which made most folk sweat like a field hand) I would make my way to a semi lit area only to find that the stamp was still there. After the club shutdown, I would make a stop at IHOP for a little food and after washing my hands I looked down only to find the stamp still there. I would go home and take a shower, sleep and wake up the next morning and guess what was still on my hand? That’s right, the stamp. It seemed like nothing I would do could remove that stamp from my hand. The verse above says that we have been "sealed" with the STAMP (so to speak) of the HOLY SPIRIT!
Because GOD has chosen us for salvation, nothing we do could ever wash away the SEAL. That's good news! Paul tells us in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us for the love of GOD. I don't care what sin we have committed believers are still SEALED until the day of redemption!
Now before somebody gets it twisted, let me make something real clear. Being SEALED doesn't mean we should live any kind of life!!! Its like this, if the city was about to be hit by a nuclear bomb but someone told you they had a place that would keep you safe would you go? And if you go, would you be grateful enough to do what they asked? Look, because we have been SEALED (put in a safe place) we should be grateful to GOD and live the way HE wants us to because HE saved us from the HELL BOMB. Lets live life obediently for THE LORD because we have something that always shows we belong to HIM, which WE CAN'T WASH OFF!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
