“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine” (Titus 2:3a).

Be dutiful and keep what you know to yourself.  This may sound easy, but look at how many gossip and slander.  Do not be deceived, this behavior is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord.  Walk humbly with Your God and live in the character of what is right and fitting.  You do not need to guess what these things are, for here you have them before you.  Put them into practice.

Lord, our world wants to know what others think.  When we do not know, there are the evil ones who will make it up.  Take away the desire to know information that is not proper for me to know.  Lead me to be content with what You do give me.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.  Help me to develop the character befitting one who is a follower of Christ.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  You have also come to fulfill the will of the Father.  Guide me Lord in the way of everlasting life in order that where these things are present in me, I may be conformed to Your image.  Help me see clearly where I need what You alone can give.  Guide me Jesus in the way of life which I have been given through grace.  Amen. 

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (Titus 2:2).

This list is not impossible, nor unfair.  It might read like a posting for a job.  We live in a world that does not respect temperance or prudence, yet these are the qualities that are needed to keep things running.  Be a person who is temperate and displays common sense.  Be of sound mind and live out the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord has called you to be in your right mind and live His way.

Lord, I know these things are inside of me.  Yes, I too have struggles, but I do not disagree with this list of behaviors, but in fact, seek others who have them when I want someone to do something responsibly.  Help me in this journey of life to be one who is like this.  Guide me into the faith You have given me and grow in me the godly character I shall have for all eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have modeled the godly behavior expected of us all as Your followers.  Where I am deficient, lead me to become what You are making of me.  Guide me, O Lord, in order that I may always know the hope I have because of Your grace and mercy.  Clear my mind and heart to walk this day in the confidence of the hope You give as I become a child of the Heavenly Father.  Amen.

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

There is good doctrine and doctrine which is not good.  Do not be led astray by wickedness, even in the guise of good religion.  Know that in the Lord there is that which is useful, but that the wicked one will send those along who will speak what itching ears want to hear.  Pay attention to what you say and to what you take in.  Let the Lord lead so that You may have good and sound doctrine leading you.

Lord, grant that I would have discerning ears that understand the difference between what is good and what is bad.  Lead me, Lord, so that I understand and take in what is good spiritual food and reject the junk garbage of this age.  Lead me into spiritual health so that I may know the good and do it.  When I am speaking of You, help me to be true to the Gospel and always speak the truth.

Holy Spirit, You know the condition in which I find myself.  You know what is right and what is perverse.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would discern the difference and reject what is not good and take in what is right.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may grow in this faith You have given me.  Guide me according to the Father’s will to live into the life that emulates Christ and grows in godliness.  Amen.

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:15-16).

Paul is not promoting some kind of super criterion for salvation, but speaking of the heart which is wicked and deceitful until the Holy Spirit grabs hold and starts the work of sanctification.  Yes, you can know them by their fruits (but the real and final judgement belongs to God).  Pay attention to what you see and not necessarily what people say.  Actions speak louder than words.

Lord, grant that I would have my eyes open to see what You would have me see.  You know the hearts of others and I do not.  You know where some mislead.  Guide me Lord so that I would humbly see what You give me to see and go where You send me.  Help me understand the seriousness of this life of faith You have given me in order that I may be genuine and faithful in this gift of grace.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that I might have a new life.  Help me to not live for myself, but to come to You who is the only One who can and will save me.  Help me to be what I proclaim and to live according to Your goodness and mercy.  Guide me this day so that what people see is who I truly am and let that be one who is following You with all that I am.  Amen.

“This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth” (Titus 1:13-14).

The Lord is not granting us permission to be cruel or unloving; but gives us the command to protect the body of Christ from those who would harm it.  Sometimes this requires a sharp rebuke.  Be willing to stand firm in the Lord and say what needs to be said.  Far too often people grumble, but say nothing.  We are to stand firm in the truth and not abide with those who are seeking other things.

Lord, I cannot do this on my own.  I have my opinions and my own sinfulness gets in the way.  Where there is a situation that You give me the ability to do something about, be the One who leads me so that I do what You would have me do, even if that means speaking a sharp rebuke.  Help me to not be a part of the wandering that many seem to be doing these days but hold fast to the faith You have given once for all.

Lead me, Lord Jesus.  You know Your church better than I ever will.  You have given us mercy and grace so that we can come into the faith You give.  Help me to be bold in that faith and intolerant of the lies of the wicked one.  For the sake of others, learning to love my neighbor, help me to be truthful even when it is painful.  Teach me devotion to You and the Gospel which is my right to proclaim through word and deed.  Amen.

“One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).

Take care, not all people are whatever we may name them, but there are many who are.  In our current culture, we say don’t call anyone anything.  But I say, speak truth.  If one is a liar, then they are a liar.  If they are lazy and evil, then they are lazy and evil.  Speaking the truth is speaking the truth even if it means speaking what others do not want to hear.  Always say what you mean, but don’t say it mean.

There is always a time and place and a way to say things that are not comfortable to say.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would speak what is right and true.  Guide me according to Your goodness in order that I would not hold back, nor seek the approval of what culture deems the right way to speak, but that I would speak what is right in Your eyes.  Lead me Lord into truth, speaking truth with love, no matter the cost.

Lord Jesus, You have always been gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.  Lead me to be like You.  You also confronted those who sought to trap You and spoke truth to them.  Help me to speak truth.  Lord, You are my Sovereign and You know where I stumble.  Lead me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You and learn from You so that I may be a person of diligence and truth. Amen.

“They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach” (Titus 1:11).

It is sad that there are those who use religion for themselves.  Outsiders then wonder what is what.  Yes, they ought to be silenced, but they will not be silent.  So, be one with good theology and know what you believe.  Know the difference between what is good and what is bad.  Do not do what you do for gain, but because it is right and true.  Know that in the Lord alone is truth.  Speak only what you know to be true.

Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear.  Lead me, Lord, that I would be guided by You and the truth You have revealed through Your Word.  Help me to understand that in You is all truth and that You have given me the ability to know these things.  Grant that I would be diligent in pursuing what is right and bold in standing up to those who promote themselves rather than the truth.

Come, Holy Spirit, and enlighten me in  the truth of Your Word.  Guide me in the goodness You have made possible through grace to understand that You alone are truth.  Keep me from ever exploiting this truth for gain and guide me to live according to Your Word so that I would live as a child of the Heavenly Father, doing what is right and good and sharing with all whom I meet the truth.  Amen.

“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party” (Titus 1:10).

Listen to just about anybody these days and you hear a parroting of whatever the latest trend is.  “Get with the program and walk alongside everyone else,” they say.  Empty talkers seek to convince you to do what you do not want to do and spend money you do not have on things that do not matter.  Do not be deceived.  The Lord gives you his grace and mercy and calls for you to follow Him alone.

Lord, there are so many in the world today who lead folk all over the place.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would humbly walk with you and not be led astray by what does not matter.  Guide me, O Lord, in order that I would hold fast to You first and then understand all the other things around me through Your eyes.  Let me see through the traps that have been laid by those who are insubordinate and empty talkers, seeking whom they may lead away from You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set free those who look to You.  There are those in this world who want people to look to them instead.  There are those who try to say there is a new way to do the impossible: pleasing you through perfect obedience.  Lead me into the arms of Your mercy and grace so that I would walk humbly with You, my Savior.  You alone are the only way of everlasting life.  Lead me into You alone!  Amen.

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Hold firm!  How many are tempted to be nothing to nobody all the time?  Hold firm to what you have been given.  The world rides on the tossing waves of whatever the trend may be.  Give it a year, it will change.  The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Hold firm to what you have been taught so that you may be able to instruct and rebuke those who contradict it.  Be trustworthy.

Lord, You know where I have been tossed about.  You know where I am not the person I should be.  You know where I have compromised.  I know these things.  Help me to repent and stand firm in the faith You have given me so that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Bring me to the place where I am trustworthy and able to resist the ever-changing whims of this world.

Lord Jesus, You held fast so that I would have to opportunity to live the gift of faith You have given me.  Guide me, O Lord, in order that I may now and always abide in the truth of life You make possible through grace.  In You, Lord, is life and apart from You is nothing.  Lead me to live under the sound doctrine and way of life found in You.  Guide me today and every day to live humbly with You as my Savior.  Amen.

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (Titus 1:7-8).

Take a look at this list; it is not about doing this or that, but about the character of one who is a child of God.  Too many think Christianity is a get-out-of-hell religion.  It is about becoming a child of the Heavenly Father.  You have been called to see your character changed such that the latter part of this list does describe you.  Seek to be one who is above reproach in the eyes of “our Father.”

Lord, You know where I need to go to work.  You know my weaknesses.  Let us begin with those places where I know them too.  Help me to be on the path You know I need to be on.  Guide me into the life that is mine in You.  Help me to overcome the obstacles of this age in order to humbly walk in Your presence into eternity.  In You Lord is all hope and an eternal future.  Please lead me there.

Lord Jesus, You have paved the way with grace so that I may live in the hope of becoming a child of the Father.  I know there is much that needs to be done.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me today into those things which will change my character to be in conformity with all that is needed.  Remove from me the sin which is in me and replace it with godliness.  Amen.