praying effectively:Being God’s Steward (Titus 1:5-16)

(Titus 1:5-16)  For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

 Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that an elder must be above reproach (1:5-6)

- that an elder must be a husband of one wife (1:5-6)

- that an elder has children who believe and are not rebellious or divisive (1:5-6)

- that an elder must not be quick tempered, but have self-control (1:7-8)

- that an elder must not be contentious (1:7)

- that an elder must not be addicted to much wine (1:7)

- that an elder must not be fond of sordid gain (1:7)

- that an elder must have a heart to serve God (1:7)

- that an elder must have heart which seeks to do God's will (1:7)

- that an elder must be warm and hospitable (1:8)

- that an elder must love what is good (1:8)

- that an elder must be sensible (1:8)

- that an elder must be just (1:8)

- that an elder must be committed (1:8)

- that an elder must be faithful and obedient (1:9)

- that an elder must know God's words well, and be able to exhort with sound doctrine (1:9)

- that an elder must know God's words well, and be able to refute those who contradict (1:9)

- that those believers who are teaching myths and false doctrines are seriously reproved in order to get them back on track with God's truth (1:10-14)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness.  Help us to be faithful, and to respect other believers who are faithful, especially those who have been placed in positions of authority.  Guide and strengthen our spiritual leaders in Your will, in unity and wisdom.  May Your word always be our standard.  And may all that we say and do be to Your glory, amen.