Titus 2:1-15

In this passage, Paul speaks very plainly about what sound doctrine, or teaching, looks like in the lives of men and women, young and old. Pastor Dave noted that one prominent theme in Paul’s instructions to each group is self-control, the ability to say “no” to yourself. Before the Lord, face your failures in self-control. What am I saying “yes” to that You, Lord, want me to say “no” to? Remembering that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, ask Him for the strength to cooperate as He grows that fruit in your life. You are not helpless!

Another theme in Paul’s exposition of sound doctrine is dignity. I found I couldn’t articulate a definition of dignity, so I looked it up. Dignity is close to self-respect; it is a sense of your own value that leads you to respect yourself and claim respect from others. The world says that value, and therefore dignity, comes from status and success. The Bible teaches that value comes from being made in the image of God and from fulfilling His purpose for your life. Lord, do I live with dignity as You define it? Or am I chasing the world’s prescription for dignity? Ask God to correct your definition of dignity.

Dave stressed that God’s grace not only saves us but also trains us in godliness. It is a life-long process, a painful but rewarding process. Ask the Lord to show you if you have been listening to the dangerous, false doctrine of “cheap grace” – grace that saves you but then permits you to live however you want. Thank God for His grace that trains us, if we will only listen to Him and obey.

Nearly all of us have some sort of shepherding role, as husband or parent or church leader or part of the older generation. Pray that all of us will take sound doctrine seriously, carefully examining what we are teaching through words of instruction, words of correction or rebuke, and our lived-out example.

Calvary Family

Brenda Gentry has reached out to request prayer as she deals with three pelvic fractures. Pray for healing and also for her finances. She does not need surgery, but the doctor has said she may not work for three months. Brenda is 62 years old and says she can’t afford to not work.

Please pray for Jim Hatcher as he participates in retreats with GEM (Greater Europe Missions) missionaries who are sharing the light of Christ in Hungary (Dec. 4-5) and in Romania (Dec. 13-15). Jim specifically asks us to pray for GEM missionaries James and Virág, who moved with their young daughter to a village in eastern Hungary in March. James is from the UK, and Virág is from Hungary. They do not have a strong base for financial support and are praying earnestly that the Lord will provide for their needs.

Lift up the Christmas Not-So-Extravaganza event on Friday sponsored by our Women’s Ministry. Pray for warm and open fellowship. Pray especially that women new to Calvary will attend and begin to form relationships in the body.

Do you have a plan for keeping your focus on God’s amazing incarnation during the busy-ness and noise of December? One idea is to subscribe to the daily Advent devotional from Biola’s Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts. Click here to view and sign up for daily emails.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea