26 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: LIVING AND TEACHING

LIVING AND TEACHING

(Titus 2:1 NLT)
As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

% Again we read about Paul insisting on the life that reflects what we teach.
% Here he emphasis on a life that reflects sound (healthy) doctrine of life.
% The doctrine based on the life of Jesus Christ % In short our life should reflect the teachings and life of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
% Let's introspect our life and what we teach others.

Conclusion:

# We should teach others about Christ in full (complete gospel/teaching)
# Our life should reflect this wholesome teaching

25 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: WORD AND WALK

WORD AND WALK

(Titus 1:15-16 NLT)
% Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.
% But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
% Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live.
% They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

@ What we claim in words and the way we live should match.
@ Many people talk a lot about God, but their life will be against Godly principles which amounts to denial.
@ Such lifestyles are hypocritical.
@ Check your life today.
@ Be sure that your word and walk are the same.

24 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: BEWARE OF REBELLIOUS PEOPLE

BEWARE OF REBELLIOUS PEOPLE

% For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others.
% This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.
% They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching.
% And they do it only for money.
(Titus 1:10-11 NLT)

23 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: ARE YOU A DISCIPLE MAKER(ELDER)?

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE MAKER(ELDER)?

Checklist
% An elder must live a blameless life.
% He must be faithful to his wife, and
% His children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.
% An elder is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life.
% He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered;
% He must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
% Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and
% He must love what is good.
% He must live wisely and be just.
% He must live a devout and disciplined life.
% 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 1:6-9 NLT)

# We cannot remain as infants in Christ.
# We should grow up to be a disciple and a disciple maker (elder)
# Let us give priority to the areas listed above and be a good disciple maker (elder)
# Let us multiply and expand the kingdom of God.
# Let us be sensitive to the perishing souls.
# Let us be concerned about those who are living without the eternal hope.
# Let us be a good model for others in following the footsteps of Christ.

22 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: LEFT ALIVE TO COMPLETE THE WORK

LEFT ALIVE TO COMPLETE THE WORK

% I left you on the island of Crete
% so you could complete our work there and
% appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.(Titus 1:5 NLT)

* This is similar to what Jesus did before ascending to heaven.
* Jesus called His disciples and entrusted the work of making more disciples everywhere across the world.
* Jesus commissioned His disciples to complete the unfinished work of preaching the Gospel to the nations.
* It is a mantle and a Godly yoke on His children, that is being passed from one generation to another and should continue until Jesus comes again.
* YES my precious friends!!
* We are left alive in this world to complete the unfinished work of
     % saving precious souls,
     % making them as disciples of Christ and
     % nurture them as faithful stewards who in turn will further continue the work.
* No one knows the span of life. Death may come any time.
* But, are we faithful in fulfilling the mandate? If not, start doing it from today onwards..

Note: If you don't know how to share God's love to others and make them into a disciple, let me know. We can help you do that.

21 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: REMINDER TO REMIND...

REMINDER TO REMIND...

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
% I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and
% to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.
% This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God(who does not lie) promised them before the world began.
% And now at just the right time He has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone.
% It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for Him.(Titus 1:1-3 NLT)

% Sharing the Gospel, teaching the truth and discipling them in CHRIST is a God given mandate to every believer.
% This letter from Paul is a reminder to all of us to remind everyone about Christ.
% Let's keep doing it till our last breadth.

18 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON...

FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON...

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on
* what is true, and
* honorable, and
* right, and
* pure, and
* lovely, and
* admirable.
Think about things that are
* excellent and
* worthy of praise.([NLT] Phil 4:8)

% We have a greater calling.
% We are called to aim high and excel.
% Let's not settle down for the substandard things of this world.
% Let's not compromise on the godly qualities. 
% Let's fix our thoughts on higher things and make a difference through our life.
#word4all

17 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: TELL GOD

TELL GOD

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.([NLT] Phil 4:6)

% Sharing our concerns and problems with others is quite common.
% The habit of sharing is different from lamenting.
% Many a times, particularly when we are stressed out, we start lamenting to others under the pretext of sharing.
% Lamenting adds up the worry and stress in life.
% This leads us to a state of gloominess thereby stealing the inner joy and even the little faith we have.

* Are you struggling with similar situations?
* Make it a habit of telling God first, before telling any man.
* Don't hesitate to open up your heart to God and tell Him what you need.
* Sometimes even the closest companion fails to understand our feelings.
* But God can understand our inner most feelings, disappointments and expectations.
* He is the only one who can understand you as you are.
* More than trusting man, trust God and tell Him everything.

. TELL EVERYTHING TO GOD FIRST.

16 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: DO EVERYTHING THROUGH CHRIST.

DO EVERYTHING THROUGH CHRIST.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.(Phil 4:13 NLT)

* Are you weak and tired?
* Are you on the verge of giving up from pursuing what you are doing now?
* Are you standing in the cross roads, confused and apprehensive about the magnitude of work that is starring at you?
* Are you bombarded with the thoughts of inability to finish the process or project you are handling now?
* Are you feeling burnt out, come to a standstill without any energy and resilience to move forward?

= Yes! The world is a tough place which sucks out our energy.
= As human beings, we have limited energy and strength.
= But our God is omnipotent. He can do anything and everything.
= Come to Christ.
= Surrender your inability and the situations into His hands.
= Surely He will strengthen you to finish all that you need to accomplish.
= With Christ by our side we can do great exploits, cross over seas and leap over mountains.
= Just be careful to do everything through Christ.
#word4all

15 JULY 2014, WORD4ALL: BE CONTENT

BE CONTENT

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.(Phil 4:11 NLT)

% Being content in life is next to impossible for most of us.
% We always long to have more or the latest
% This thirst or craving will never allow us to be settled and give rise to anxiety.
% Anxiety leads to worries and peace-less situations.
% These situations opens the door for most of the diseases.
% The best medicine to tackle this problem is learning to be content with what we have.
% There is nothing wrong in aiming higher or to have the best.
% We should give our best in all that we can do and then leave the rest to God.
% Whatever God gives in return to our best efforts, we should have the heart to accept and should learn to be content with that.
% We should stop worrying and be thankful to God for whatever blessing He is bestowing on us.
% Are you content?
#word4all