Marching Forth!

" Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you ." Titus 2:15 After reading these words in the Bible last night, it prompted some discussion about what Paul meant by saying in his letter to Titus, " Let no one despise you ."  Certainly Paul did not suggest Titus could control what people thought about him when he exhorted or corrected them, for Jesus said to His disciples who would suffer persecution in  Luke 21:17 :  " And you will be hated by all for My name's sake ."  These verses compliment each other well.  As the disciples were called to remain faithful and obedient to Jesus in spite of persecution, so Titus was not to be intimidated in doing what God directed him to do even when he faced opposition. In Titus chapter 2 , Paul outlined sound doctrine Titus was to hold forth to Christians concerning their personal conduct.  It is likely not everyone would be open to correction or instruction when it involved reb...

" The wise woman builds her house,  b ut the foolish pulls it down with her hands ." Proverbs 14:1 The actions people take have real consequences.  Paul urged the believers in Corinth to take heed how they built on the foundation he provided them as a master builder, that they build their lives by faith in  Jesus Christ and the Gospel.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus contrasted the wise and foolish man:  those who hear the words of Jesus and obey He likened to a man who built a house on the rock that would stand firm in the storm.  The foolish man heard the words of Jesus but did not do them.  He was likened to one who builds on the sand and the fall of that house would be great. Everyone who has received life from God by grace chooses how they build their life day by day.  The wise woman builds a house that will stand, for it is built with acknowledgment of God's wisdom and ways.  The foolish woman, however, builds as if God does not exis...

" You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!'  a nd you sneer at it,"  s ays the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;  t hus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?"  s ays the LORD ." Malachi 1:13 Through the prophet Malachi, God confronted His people with their approach to keeping His law and statues.  They viewed the keeping of feasts and offerings a boring chore, and their slack effort evident before God should have been obvious to them as well.  Instead of selecting the first and best of their flock, they brought Him stolen and sickly animals their king would have refused with offence.  Their sneers of disdain were seen by God, and their offerings were sin. We are richly blessed to live in this day of grace, having had the Gospel revealed to us with the love of Jesus Christ.  Over the years I have heard many exclaim when reading the Law, "I'm so glad not to live under the Law and have to keep...

It is easy to be intimidated by those who impress us.  We imagine they do not struggle like we do and are impervious to trials and difficulties.  My parents worked to raise their children to love God, go to church, be polite, have good manners and show respect.  Though us kids were by no means perfect, it seems at least one person assumed our house was without struggles and problems they faced.  When my mum told another mum on the phone eggs had fallen to the floor and needed cleaning up, the other shocked woman exclaimed, "Wow!  That happens at your house too?"  Being an amazing mum who worked to raise children and manage the home does not prevent mishaps that are common to all people. Think about this for a moment:  do you believe Jesus was involved in any accidents?  Do you think he ever dropped eggs because his fingers were wet, knocked over a drink with his elbow when speaking or struck his thumb with a glancing blow from a hammer?  I be...