OUR DAILY BREAD : REMIND THE PEOPLE

[cimi]

SATURDAY MAY 9


REMIND THE PEOPLE

READ:
Titus 3:1-2 NLT
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Remind the
believers to...
show true humility
to everyone.
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In a typical week, many of us receive a number of emails reminding us of appointments or upcoming events or requests to pray for someone. All of them are needed reminders.

When Paul wrote his "papyrus mail" to Titus, he ended his note by saying, "Remind the believers..." (3:1 NLT). We can assume from Paul's word choice that he had already written about these things. But they were of such importance to the people in the church that he repeated them so they wouldn't forget.

Notice what Paul didn't want them to miss. He reminded the people__living under the oppressive Roman rule__" to be subject to rulers and authorities" (v.1). It was important to be known for obedience; for doing what is good; for not slandering; for being peaceful and considerate; and for humility rather than for complaining. Their behavior was to showcase the change made in their lives by following Christ (vv. 3-5).

How could they__and we__do that? "The Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us...through Jesus Christ" enables us to "devote [ourselves] to doing what is good" (vv.5-6,8 NIV. It is through Jesus' great gift of salvation that we are equipped to influence our world for good. That's a reminder we all need.

**Lord, remind us how important it is that we obey You and treat others the
way we want to be treated. Remind us that Your salvation enables us to live
as lights in a dark world. _________________________________________________________________
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A Christian's life is a window through which others can see Jesus.

***********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Titus 3:1-8********************************
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to
obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of
no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to
all men.

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the
kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He
poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become
heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful
saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that
those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Twice Paul asked his protege Titus to remind
believers to always be ready to do good works (vv. 1/8). Although
we are saved by God's mercy and grace and not by what we do
(vv. 4-7), our works are the evidence of our faith. Paul taught in
Ephesians 2:8-10: "God saved you by his grace....Salvation is not
a reward for the good things we have done....He has created us
anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for
us long ago" (NLT).