Choosing Love Today

Have you ever heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words"?

There's a reason that expression has been around for a long time.

Words matter. What we say matters. But in the end, people tend to believe what they see.

That's really the heartbeat of the book of Titus.

As Paul writes to Titus, he's concerned about sound teaching. He wants people to know the truth. But he also wants that truth to be visible in everyday life.

In ot...

Have you ever known someone who changed?

I don't mean they picked up a new hobby or moved to a different town. I mean something deeper changed. They became more patient. More forgiving. More generous. More understanding.

When that happens, people notice.

In Titus 3:8, Paul writes:

"Those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good."

I find it interesting that Paul connects faith and action.

Not...

Have you ever noticed how quickly we start keeping score?

We may not do it out loud, but it's easy to compare ourselves to other people. We look at our accomplishments, our mistakes, our successes, and our failures. Before long, we can start thinking that God's acceptance somehow depends on how well we're doing. That's not a new struggle.

In Titus 3:5, Paul reminds us of something incredibly important:

"He saved us, not because of ...

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be looking for ways to help?

They hold the door for someone carrying too much. They check on a neighbor who hasn't been feeling well. They offer a hand before they're asked.

And usually, they're not making a big deal about it. They're just paying attention.

In Titus 3:1, Paul tells believers: "Be ready to do whatever is good."

I like that phrase: be ready.

Paul doesn't say we have to s...

Have you ever had someone do something so kind for you that it changed the way you looked at them?

Maybe they helped you when you needed it most. Maybe they gave you a second chance when you didn't deserve one. Maybe they showed patience when they could have walked away.

Real grace has a way of changing people.

That's what Paul is talking about in Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people...

Have you ever noticed how quickly we can spot a fake?

It doesn't matter if it's a salesperson, a politician, a television commercial, or somebody posting on social media. We may not know exactly what's wrong, but something inside us says, "That doesn't seem genuine."

On the other hand, people are drawn to authenticity. Not perfection. Not polish. Authenticity.

That's one of the themes Paul emphasizes in his letter to Titus.

In Titu...

Titus: When Faith Shows Up

What does real faith look like when it steps out of the church building and into everyday life? In this episode, we begin our journey through the book of Titus and discover that faith isn't just something we believe, it's something people can see.

Paul reminds Titus that healthy teaching should lead to transformed living. Whether at home, at work, or in our communities, the gospel isn't just meant to chan...

Have you ever noticed how most people are impressed by a good start? A new diet starts on Monday.

A new exercise program begins with enthusiasm. A new project launches with excitement.

A new commitment is made with confidence!

Starting gets a lot of attention...But finishing? That's a different story.

Because anybody can start when they're motivated. Finishing requires perseverance.

That's one reason I love the words Paul writes n...

Have you ever watched a race where one runner spends more time looking at everybody else than paying attention to where they're going? It usually doesn't end well.

They stumble. They slow down. They lose focus.

That's because it's hard to run your race when you're obsessed with someone else's.

I think a lot of us can relate to that.

We live in a world where comparison is almost a full-time job. Everywhere we look, somebody seems to...

Have you ever tried to start a campfire with just one little spark?

At first, it doesn't look like much. A tiny flame flickers against a pile of wood. A little breeze comes along and threatens to put it out. If you ignore it, the fire dies. But if you tend it, feed it, and protect it, before long you've got something that provides warmth, light, and comfort to everyone around it.

Faith can be a lot like that. That's why Paul tells ...

Have you ever noticed how fear likes to talk? Not out loud, necessarily. But inside your head.

Fear says things like, "What if this doesn't work out?" "What if I fail?" "What if people don't understand?" "What if I make the wrong decision?" "What if things get worse instead of better?" And if we're honest, most of us have listened to that voice more than we'd like to admit.

Timothy probably understood those feelings. When Paul wro...

Have you ever noticed how careful we are with things we consider valuable?

We lock our doors at night. We protect our bank accounts with passwords. Some people keep important documents in safes or lock boxes. When something matters to us, we take steps to protect it.

But here's a question. Do we put the same effort into protecting our faith?

In 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Paul tells Timothy, "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of s...

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "I could never do what they do"?

Maybe it's a gifted teacher, a talented musician, a successful business owner, or someone who just seems to have abilities that come naturally. It's easy to look at other people and convince ourselves that God can use them because they're talented, but He can't use us because we're ordinary.

But when you read the Bible, that's n...

What does it look like to stay faithful when the world around you keeps pulling in another direction?

In 1 & 2 Timothy, Paul writes to a younger man he loves like a son, encouraging him to stand firm, guard what he has been taught, and live out his faith with courage and integrity. These letters speak honestly about leadership, hardship, false teaching, perseverance, and what it means to remain faithful when following Jesus isn...

Have you ever had somebody say exactly what you needed to hear at exactly the right time?

Maybe you were having one of those days when nothing seemed to be going right. You were discouraged, questioning yourself, maybe wondering whether anything you were doing was making a difference. Then somebody came along and said a few simple words that changed the direction of your day. They didn't solve your problem. But they just reminded y...

There are some phone calls you never forget. It was Sunday, 1-12-1975, in the early afternoon. My younger brother called to tell me our Dad was involved in a head-on collision coming back from the lake and that he was dead. Maybe you've you've received a call like that. If you have....I'm sorry, because I know it's not easy. You can remember where you were when the phone rang. You remember who was on the other end. And sometimes yo...

There are four little words in the Bible that when they're directed at you, you might get offended, angry or they simply might make you laugh when you hear them. Believe it or not, that's pretty much exactly what Paul tells the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 4:11 - “Mind your own business.”

Paul encourages them to make it their ambition to live a quiet life, to mind their own business, and to work with their hands. He says l...

Most of us probably wouldn't mind hearing someone say, "You're doing a pretty good job."

Whether it's at work, at home, or just trying to be a decent human being, a little encouragement goes a long way. But here's the interesting part: being told you're doing well doesn't necessarily mean there's no room to do better........and Paul understood that.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, he tells the believers, "May the Lord make your love incre...

You know you can usually tell when somebody genuinely cares about you.

They don't always say exactly the right thing. They may not have some brilliant piece of advice. Sometimes they don't say much of anything. But there's something about the way they listen, the way they show up, and the way they treat you that tells you, "This person actually cares."

Paul understood that.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Paul describes the way he and hi...