Day 340 Equipped

 

12/6/2025

"God does not ask about our ability or

our inability but our availability."

 

As the end of the year approaches I am asking God for direction in the next step of my journey. I always feel as if there is more and more to do, and the needs seem to multiply. Today my daily read was from the book of Titus. Titus was a young pastor, sent to oversee the church in Crete, where the commentator describes as "having a people who had some of the worst reputations in the world." Titus was sent to organize and shepherd the new believers, and Paul is writing him a letter of instruction. I'm sure Titus as a young pastor must have found the task and Paul's instructions daunting. Paul was instructing Titus in how to appoint spiritual leaders as elders and how to discern and to uproot the false teachers. Paul's instruction seemed similar to his training of Timothy, another youngster in the faith who was placed in a challenging position in Ephesus, a place where false doctrine was prevalent.

Titus was given a list of characteristics to look for in selecting a pastor, one who is blameless who will be teaching others to remain strong in the faith. Persecution followed believers in Christ, so they had to be solidly established in leadership to withstand temptations and accusations, as satan always works to accuse the brethren in order to destroy the work of the kingdom. The criteria for selecting a pastor was uncompromising, and included the following: he must have a good reputation and be well thought of in the community for the life he lives; he must have one wife, and their children must be well-behaved, obedient, respectful to their parents, and love the Lord; they must live blameless lives, not proud or impatient; not drunkards or fighters or greedy for money. And the list goes on - hospitable to strangers, sensible and fair, level-headed, clean-minded, and able to teach and lead others. That's quite a list of job requirements! But, honestly, it should be consistent for all who are walking with our Lord. The criteria was the same for the elders of the church. 

Paul told Titus that a person who is pure in heart sees purity and goodness in everything, but there are people who claim to know God, but their actions do not match what they say or teach. He instructed Titus to be gentle as a pastor and teacher and not to be intimidated because of his age, the same advice he gave Timothy. As men become older they should learn to be more sensible and trustworthy doing things and treating others with love and patience. Titus was instructed to guide the older men in this direction. For the older women he was to remind them to be respectful and quiet, not prone to gossip, which the Lord hates. The older women were to teach the younger ones how to live quietly, loving their husbands and caring for their children, so they will grow up to love the Lord and learn to be sensible and clean-minded. Ensuring that the home unit be set up according to scripture ways, with the husband as the head of the home, teaching his family the authority of the word of the Lord, encouraging their faith, and loving their wives. He was also told to urge slaves to be obedient to their masters, trustworthy and good workers so that others will see their lives and desire to know Jesus Christ. All wise counsel from the Apostle Paul to Titus, and it will serve modern day believers to follow the same instruction. 

The family unit is under attack in our world today, and it is extremely important that men take their place as the spiritual umbrellas of protection for their families. There are so many young people who are living their lives freely, not caring to follow any rules, much less being obedient to God's laws. Self-gratification and catering to worldly desires is all that is important, and they will go to any means to be accepted and make their mark on this world. But evil days are increasing, and we cannot turn our backs on the needs of these children. Thankfully people are going to church and Bible sales have dramatically increased since the death of Charlie Kirk, and the younger generation is no longer content with the same thing, they are being drawn to the church for answers, and the church needs to snap to attention in order to help them find their way. They desire truth and accountability which is a far cry different way than the way their lives had been going. Revivals are on the increase, and more people are giving their hearts to Jesus, but they will need encouragement and discipleship, and someone to walk beside them. This will take commitment from all of us to be available. Serving Christ and walking in discipleship costs everything. Today I was reminded of the missionary Jim Elliot who was martyred for his faith. He said "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim and four other missionaries lost their lives trying to bring a tribe in Ecuador to Christ. He knew that surrender to Christ, even to the point of death to complete the command of Christ to go into the world and teach and make disciples of all men, would cost everything. Surrendering things of this world for a kingdom that never ends is what it is all about. 

I am very passionate about winning souls to Christ Jesus, so I will gladly follow wherever my Father leads me. As much as I'd love to go to the foreign mission field, I am on the national one for now. I want to finish my race well and completely, so I can hear the words we all long to hear from our beloved Savior, "Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter into My Kingdom." We each have our gifts and talents, and we all work together as one to become the bride of Christ, waiting and watching for His return. The commentator for the book of Titus stated: 

"One way to measure the depth of your religion is to look at the breadth of your concern for others."

True words, as it requires love and compassion as well as patience and perseverance to walk beside others, leading them in the path they should be going. The hour is getting close, and we are called to work until the end of day, while the Light is still shining. Stay strong and vigilant! Follow the wise counsel of Snoopy as stated above: "Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can." And if you're lacking or feeling inadequate for the task, here's advice I heard from a respected pastor who was told the same advice: "Find the love of Jesus, and love Him back!"