Titus 3:1-15

Throughout Paul’s letter to Titus, he has stressed both sound doctrine and good works. We often think of good works as serving in a soup kitchen, giving money to charity, and the like. But Paul includes in “good works” our everyday conduct as Christians, as described in verses 1-2. Pastor Shannon summarized this list of good behaviors as gentleness and agreed with writer Dane Ortlund that gentleness is “the aroma of the Christian life.” (If you’d like a modern, flesh-and-blood example of a Christian displaying gentleness in every arena of life, see the new movie about Mister Rogers, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.) Like self-control, which Paul has also emphasized in this letter, gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In prayer, submit yourself to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life and ask Him to produce more gentleness in your life, day by day.

In my small group, we will soon be sharing our “spiritual journeys” – our spiritual autobiographies. I wonder if any of us will personalize Titus 3:3: I was once foolish, disobedient, led astray, a slave to various passions and pleasures, passing my days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating them. If you have never articulated your salvation story – your “before” and “after” – it is a worthwhile exercise. Before the Lord, put into words what you used to be and how being washed and renewed has changed you. Who knows? The Lord may give you an opportunity to share your story with someone this Christmas season.

Only the gospel can take our stinking mess in verse 3 and transform it into the aroma of good works in verses 1-2. God saved us, not because anything good we have done, but because He is a good and merciful God. We have been justified by Jesus and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Shannon challenged us by saying we should be amazed by the gospel regularly. Am I? Are you? Or is the gospel message so familiar that it no longer penetrates our inner beings? Christmastime is an especially appropriate time to pray, Lord, reignite my heart! Help me return to my first love.

Calvary Family

Pastor Tomasz Chylka’s most recent prayer letter begins this way: The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8) “What joy fills my heart when I think about how God sent His Son to this world. We were hopeless and defenceless against the power of the evil one, but a greater One came to us. … This month, many people get ready for Christmas; we want to witness and remind them about Jesus. It’s too often that Christmas is celebrated commercially in this country, with little time spared to stop and consider salvation.” Pastor Tomasz and his congregation in Pszczyna, Poland, held an evangelistic outreach in their town last Friday. Pray for those who heard the gospel and received Christian materials – that the Lord will pursue those He has called and bring them to Himself.

Kathy Pecoraro requests prayer for family friend Brian, whose prostate cancer has recurred after a 10-year period of remission. He is undergoing tests to determine if the cancer has spread, and surgery to remove the prostate will be discussed once those test results are back. Kathy asks that we pray that “Jesus will faithfully guide him through this and walk with the family each step of the way.”

Debbie Winters reached out to ask us to pray for her sister, Pat Wuebel, whose health is declining from a yet-undiagnosed condition. Pat lives with her husband, who is blind, and her autistic daughter. Pat is the sole breadwinner in the family. Please pray that Pat’s doctors will correctly diagnose her soon and begin an effective treatment plan. Also pray for strength and hope for Pat and her family in the midst of a very worrisome trial.

The ”Martha” who lives in many of us really shows up this time of year! We are too busy with too many things, stressed out by all the expectations we’re trying to satisfy, tired and frazzled. Ask the Lord how to be “Mary” in the next few weeks, sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to him and adoring him. Make a list of all your tasks and stresses and lay it before the Lord, asking: Which of these am I doing, or can I do, for the honor and glory of God? Which of these do You want me to lay aside because they are, in truth, a distraction from the focus You want for me?

This is the last edition of the prayer blog for 2019! Check your inbox on January 7, 2020.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea