Titus 1:3

Titus 1:3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

God in his perfect timing revealed to us the hope of eternal life in the Bible, in the death and resurrection of his son Jesus, gave us a path to follow and a path to lead others on. He commanded it be taught and shared with others, not just kept to Paul or any one of the apostles, but instead put in place a plan for it to be shared. God has given us the greatest gift of hope and not only wants us to enjoy it but wants to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy it and also gives us the opportunity to be his vessels to accomplish his plans. Isn’t it fascinating that God would want to use any of us personally to be his hands and his feet, and yet this very thing has been entrusted to us.

Application-Share what I learn with those around me and with those I have a voice to speak into their lives, through face to face conversation, facebook, blogging, etc…

Titus 1:2

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

If you knew that in a month from now that you would be going on a vacation and that you would have the ability to do as many fun things as you planned for, and that if you made no plans that you would still be going just with nothing to do, what would you do? If you were wise and serious about wanting to have a good trip than you would live like it and take the time and energy to plan for the trip. Likewise if you knew that God had promised heaven for you when you die, and that you had an opportunity to store up treasures there and bring others with you, would you live like that were a fact? To those who have been saved God has indeed made that very promise of heaven… Do you and I live like there’s more to life than the here and now? Where does our focus lie, on ourselves and the here and now, or on using our time, talents and resources on preparing ourselves and others for the eternal life we’ve been promised?

Application-When I make big decisions, such as where to move or what to do for a job, consider whether the choice is solely to pass the time or to use my time, talents and resources to further God’s kingdom.

Titus 1:1

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ; according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

Paul is writing this book for the purpose of building up the faith of the elect, a group that isn’t specified here. He’s writing in order to build up the knowledge of their truth, a specific truth, not just any old truth but one that leads to godliness. ‘Ephesians 6:4 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,’ Without truth the rest of the armor of God would have no anchor, without truth we would have no anchor. God is a God of truth and Paul is writing to help lead the elect to that knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness. What is your faith based on?

Application-Seek and search out the truth of God, and consistently evaluate whether I’m following in his truth, whether I’m living a life that illuminates Christ. 

Psalm 69:5

Psalm 69:5 O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.

Here David is asking for help from God despite of his foolishness and despite of his sin, he has the wisdom to realize that God knows his shortcomings, which were numerous, and yet asks for help anyways. No man is perfect, everyone fails and falls, God doesn’t find out about our sin and then get mad and kick us out of the game, he already knows about our sin and loves us enough to want to bring us out of it, loves us for who we really are. We can act like we’re perfect, like we have no sins, but even in the unlikely chance that people really wouldn’t be aware, God still knows. Why not come to God and humbly admit when we fail, especially if the only thing that we might lose is our pride?

Application- To be quick to come to God and repent when I’ve failed, remembering that I have a God who loves me through my foolishness and sins. 

Psalm 69:16

Psalm 69:16 Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.

God is not only the author of life, not only the creator, He cares about us. He’s a God of Love, of tender mercies, it amazes me that he would truly be merciful and loving to a sinner like me. Amazing that an all-powerful God would listen to me, and not only that but that he does it lovingly. Wow!

Application- Do a study of stories and verses in the bible that mention God’s love.

Psalm 107:9

Psalm 107:9 For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Do we long for God, does our soul really long for him, or perhaps do we only long to be filled without having to go humbly to our savior and ask for his help, without having to have a relationship with our savior? I was hungry and longing for something, for years I had this longing, but I didn’t want to admit to anybody that I needed anything, I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone, including my God. I tried to feel this void through many things, just not by developing a relationship with God, praying was something that I only did out of ritual, I feared that if I opened myself to God that he wouldn’t satisfy and fill me, that I would be just as lacking. This summer as I began to draw near to God, he began to satisfy my soul and through the midst of some rough trials he proved the truth of this promise, showing me the reality of his trustworthiness. Phillipians 4:8-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Application- God promises to satisfy the longing soul and fill the hungry soul with goodness, I will memorize this verse so that when I feel that void I can look back and recall where I’m supposed to look for filling.

Psalm 107:28

Psalm 107:28 Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses.

As we read through psalm 107 we see that as those who are in their darkness hour, their greatest time of need, that when they cry out to God for help, God reaches out and brings them out of their distresses. Yet even when we aren’t in times of dire need, God still watches over us, he still cares for us, still loves us. As you also see when you go through the chapter are the consistent exhortations to give thanks for what God’s done and to exalt his name Psalms 107:31-32 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders. If the focus is on us it’s a quick and easy path to the place where we don’t notice what God has done for us or think that we deserve it and that He did what He did because He owed it to us. The wise however will remember the lovingkindness of the Lord, will remember to thank Him, praise Him and exalt Him for it.

Application- I will thank God for His lovingkindness each day, and thank him for specific things that He’s done for me.