TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 1:12-26
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. - James 1:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Waiting is never easy, but God can use waiting to accomplish great things. Following Jesus’ ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and waited--just as Jesus had commanded them (Acts 1:4). They didn’t know how long they would have to wait, and as it turned out, it was only ten days.

Acts 1:14 tells us that Jesus’ followers prayed while they were waiting for God to reveal what would happen next. Notice how they prayed: in a unified way and constantly. Recall from yesterday’s study that Jesus had prayed for the unity of His followers. We see that prayer being answered. Only lives transformed by Jesus could have enabled a Jewish political activist like Simon to be unified in prayer with a Roman tax collector, Matthew, whom the Jews hated. In “volume one” of the gospel of Luke, we learn that after His resurrection and prior to His ascension, Jesus “opened [the disciples’] minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). It’s likely that the 120 who were waiting here in Acts were also studying God’s Word.

Perhaps it was this focus on God’s Word that led Peter to connect the situation regarding Judas with the Psalms. First, Peter acknowledged Judas’s original share in the ministry. The parenthetical note in verses 18 and 19 was probably inserted by Luke for the benefit of the letter’s recipient, Theophilus (Acts 1:1). It shows why Peter saw fulfillment of Psalm 69:25 in the terrible consequences of Judas’s betrayal. From Psalm 109:8, Peter understood the need to find a replacement for Judas.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
All of us are interested in determining God’s will for our lives. At times, we might be tempted to cast lots!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-8:1
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. - Matthew 5:44
TODAY IN THE WORD
Psychiatrist Robert Coles couldn’t figure it out. First-grader Ruby Bridges showed no signs of stress, even though she should. Not only was she the sole African-American student in an all-White school, she was the only student, period. In 1960, desegregation was mandated in Ruby’s school district. When she showed up at her new school, angry Whites, who were boycotting the school, shouted at her. Day after day, Ruby attended school . . . by herself, with a U.S. Marshal escort past an angry mob. As the months went by, neither Ruby’s teacher nor Dr. Coles could understand her consistently cheery disposition. Finally, it came out that Ruby prayed for these screaming people--every time she passed them and every night before bed. When Dr. Coles asked her why, she simply replied, “Because if you’re going through what they’re doing to you, you’re the one who should be praying for them.”

Ruby Bridges took to heart Jesus’ command to pray for one’s persecutors. Stephen, also filled with God’s grace, did the same. Because Stephen’s opponents could find no real charge against him, they had to trump up false accusations. But much like Ruby’s sweet smile, those who sought to harm Stephen saw a “face that was like the face of an angel” (v. 15).

Rather than defend himself, Stephen obeyed the Spirit’s prompting to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the “courtroom” (Acts 7:2–53). Instead of receiving this exhortation to repent, the council sentenced Stephen to death. Their covering of their ears (v. 57) shows that they believed he had spoken blasphemy.

Stephen’s clear vision of the exalted Lord Jesus (v. 56) stands in sharp contrast to the spiritual blindness of his persecutors. Even more striking is their profound hatred and his gracious forgiveness. Using the words of the Savior (Luke 23:34), Stephen prayed for their souls as he was dying: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (v. 60).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
English writer William Law wrote, “There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23
Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. - Colossians 3:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some of you may remember the TV game show, Let’s Make a Deal. Contestants had to choose one of three doors, all of which concealed various prizes. Suspense mounted as a contestant deliberated between a known prize and the possibility of a better one behind Door Number One, Door Number Two, or Door Number Three.

Sometimes life can feel a bit like this game show. As believers, we are asked to give up attachments to this world for the “prizes” God promises in the world to come, which we have never seen. It can be hard to forsake what’s so familiar and comfortable without a clear idea of what’s behind the next door.

Maybe that’s why Paul spent so much time talking about the glorious inheritance of believers. He wanted believers to be so focused on what was eternally theirs through their relationship with Christ, that they would become less distracted by things that would eventually pass away.

Paul wrote Ephesians from a prison in Rome. It increases our appreciation for his heavenly focus and his prayer that believers would also be focusing upward. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is rooted in his praise for the work of God through His Son. In Christ, we have been chosen and called as believers (Eph. 1:3–14). It is the key starting place for any prayer--God’s plan of redemption.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul’s prayer not only shows us how we can pray for our needs; it is also an example of how we can pray

for others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 1:3-11
I pray that you . . . may have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. - Ephesians 3:17–18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Every parent knows that children love to feel that they can contribute somehow to a project underway. The nails might not be pounded in straight or the cake might not be level, but what joy there is to have helped Mommy or Daddy, or Grandpa and Grandma!

God has created us to be a part of His plan. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The Philippians also experienced this joy of “partnership in the gospel” (v. 5), and the knowledge of it was a great joy to Paul.

As is common in Paul’s letters, he began by thanking God for the recipients. In this case, he began by rejoicing over the Philippian church receiving and participating in the gospel from the very first time they heard it. Knowing that some might feel discouraged at how much more they needed to grow spiritually, Paul encouraged them that their ultimate confidence rested with God and not themselves (v. 6). Later in this letter, Paul encouraged them that “it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13).

It was natural for Paul to encourage the Philippians in this way, for he had a deep affection for them. Paul wrote this letter from prison, and these believers were no doubt distressed about this. But through God’s grace, they were all strengthened and united, even though they were apart.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Two people in love want to know all about each other. The same is true about our relationship with Jesus. Today’s passage shows that love grows when knowledge is deepened. Our knowledge of the Lord and our love for Him increase when we come together in prayer, Bible study and preaching, as well as fellowship. When you go to church tomorrow, praise God for His family, where we can grow together. Ask the Lord to show you how you can get more involved in the life of your church, growing in love for God and His people.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 5:1-14
Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. - Psalm 149:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
The scene was electrifying. Ten thousand participants from around the globe were joined in hand, standing together to praise the Lord with one “voice,” even though hundreds of different languages were being sung! People who had never been in an elevator stood side-by-side with those who worked in skyscrapers. Those who had never been on a farm held hands with those who had never seen a computer. The scene was the 1986 Billy Graham Conference for Itinerant Evangelists held in Amsterdam, and for many, it was a foretaste of heaven.

Whenever groups of believers lift up their voices in praise, it anticipates the event that is portrayed in today’s passage. This side of heaven, we experience this glorious praise only for very brief periods, but then, we will be singing in unison forever!

In John’s vision of heaven, he finds himself weeping because no one is found worthy to open the scroll that will finally bring about the “beginning of the end,” an act that will initiate the events eventually culminating in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 22). John’s despair vanishes, however, when the Lamb--the risen Christ--comes and takes the scroll. At this great, long-anticipated moment, all of heaven breaks out in fervent praise! Even before the seals are broken, the Lamb is worshiped--for who He is, for what He has done, and then for what He will do.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In his book Prayer, Richard Foster calls praise “the serious business of heaven.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:1-10
O great city . . . In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven! - Revelation 18:19–20
TODAY IN THE WORD
May 8, 1945 was a day marked by celebrations throughout much of Europe, the United States, and many other places around the world. People cheered and danced in the streets. Strangers hugged one another. The end of the war in Europe had arrived! In his stirring speech, Winston Churchill captured this sense of jubilation.

“God bless you all. This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation. God bless you all!”

On a far grander scale, a “victory speech” will be given, or rather sung, in heaven. The long years, the dangers, and the fierce attacks of the enemy will finally be over, once and for all. Like the speeches given in May 1945, this speech will extol justice and freedom, only it will not be directed to the crowds, it will be directed to God!

John’s vision of this song of praise shows that it will begin with the shout, “Hallelujah!” or “Praise Yahweh!” And He will be praised, as He has been throughout human history. At last, those who have been martyred will be avenged. The defeat of evil is assured!

Following this victorious chorus comes the celebration that will cause every other celebration--every ticker-tape parade, every victory party, every triumphal ceremony--to be forgotten forever. Notice that it is announced with a roaring like rushing water and peals of thunder! This will be the glorious wedding supper of the Lamb; this will be the final consummation of our sanctification, when we are presented as the perfect, spotless bride of Christ. All the trials and anguish that are matu-ring us in godliness are preparing us for this great celebration!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Truly, today’s passage gives us the words to the ultimate praise chorus!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 6:5-15
Lord, teach us to pray. - Luke 11:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
“If we wish to pray with confidence and gladness, then the words of Holy Scripture will have to be the solid basis of our prayer. For here we know that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, teaches us to pray. The words which come from God become, then, the steps on which we find our way to God,” wrote German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

It’s our prayer that because of this month’s study, the words of Holy Scripture have become the basis of your prayers. God’s Word gives us both the content and the manner for prayer. As we close, it seems fitting to look at the prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples.

The intimacy with which Jesus addressed the Father was unprecedented. But John 1:12 tells us that we have become the children of God through faith in Christ, so we too may boldly call upon the Heavenly Father.

The prayer that God’s name be kept holy, or hallowed, has been seen frequently in our study. You may recall Solomon’s temple dedication prayer (see April 12) or Daniel’s thanksgiving prayer (see April 18); both concerned about honoring God’s name. We, too, must pray that the name of Christ be honored in all that we do.

We are also to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of God among His people (v. 10). Like Hannah (see April , we should submit our deepest longings to His perfect will and pray that His sovereign plan might be accomplished.

Praying for our daily bread means looking to the Lord for our every need, including things like food or shelter (as did Elijah; see April 14) or His sustaining presence (as did Moses; see April 4). As we saw with David (see April 10), forgiveness is one of our deepest human needs. Wholeness comes when we receive God’s forgiveness and extend it to others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What a comprehensive prayer our Lord has given to us . . . six simple petitions that cover the whole of our spiritual and physical lives!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:1-2
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect. - Titus 1:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the early part of the fourth century, grieving parents buried a child in Rome. We believe that they were Christians because of the images they chiseled into the stone of the child’s sepulchre. There, side by side, they carved the portraits of two bearded men. Next to one was the Latin inscription “Petrus,” or Peter. The other bore the title “Paulus,” or Paul. In the minds of many early believers, these two men were the examples of true Christian leaders. Yet during his own lifetime, the apostle Paul looked at himself quite differently. Although some of the apostles, like Peter, James, and John, were considered “pillars” by the New Testament church, Paul’s favorite term was “servant.”

This doesn’t mean that Paul underestimated the significance of his ministry. He knew that God had called him to be an apostle. But he also recognized that the glory of being an apostle was the glory of serving others. Specifically, Paul was called to serve “God’s elect” by helping them to grow in their faith. He accomplished this by giving God’s people a “knowledge of the truth.” Christian faith is faith in the truth. It is confidence that everything God has said about Himself, His Son, and His purpose in sending Christ to die for the sin of humanity is fact. It is the quiet trust that God has done for us that which we could not do for ourselves. He has made us righteous.

While the Christian faith engages the mind, it goes beyond the mind. True faith calls for a response by the whole person. It is truth that “leads to godliness.” The order here is vitally important. According to Paul, godliness is the effect of true faith, not the cause.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If the truth of the gospel leads to godliness, we should be able to see concrete evidence of its transforming effect in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:3-4
And at his appointed season he brought his word to light. - Titus 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
A missionary serving in Japan had been praying about joining a different mission organization and decided to discuss the possibility with that mission’s director. He was about to get on a train that would take him to the city where the organization was headquartered when he felt a strong impression, that he believed was from the Lord, telling him not to get on the train. The same thing happened when the next train arrived. When the third and final train for the day arrived, once again, the missionary felt the Lord directing him to wait. He stood on the platform and watched as it pulled out of the station, feeling foolish and wondering if he had misread the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Just as he was about to return home, he heard one of the passengers that had disembarked from the last train call his name. It was the director of the mission he had planned to visit that day, coming to invite him to join their organization.

Like this missionary, Paul learned that the events of his life were subject to God’s timing. He was not a victim of random circumstances but was part of a larger plan. This began even before his conversion and subsequent call to apostolic ministry, because he was set apart for the gospel at birth (Gal. 1:15). God’s unique timing also played a role in Paul’s preaching ministry, which he described as bringing God’s Word “to light.”

This is the language of divine revelation--Paul’s message was not something he had invented. The Lord Himself had revealed it to him and had been using him to make it known to others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Being aware of God’s sovereign timing should not make us fatalistic. Rather, this realization should give us the confidence to make the most of every opportunity (see Eph. 5:16).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:5-6
Watch your life and doctrine closely. - 1 Timothy 4:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
A small group of people sat in lawn chairs and watched as construction workers raised the wall of their new church building. They had been looking forward to this day for several years and had prayed, planned, and given in order to make it a reality. When the first wall went up, the group cheered. By the end of the day all four walls were standing, and before long, the frame of the entire building could be seen. Once the building was up, however, the work was far from over. There were walls to be painted, carpet to be laid, furnishings to be installed, and a large white steeple to be placed upon the building’s roof.

In a similar way, once the foundation for the church in Crete, where Titus was, had been set in place, there was still important work to be done. One of the most critical tasks was the responsibility of appointing leaders in each of the congregations. Paul charged Titus with this

critical task, reminding him that he had been left in Crete to “straighten out what was left unfinished.” This work involved two major responsibilities. The first was the task of correcting those who had fallen into error. There were things in the church that needed to be “straightened out.” Perhaps because this was a young church, it had already succumbed to doctrinal error. The second responsibility was to finish the work of leadership development. The gospel had been preached and a group of believers had been gathered together, but spiritual leaders were needed to carry on the teaching and to guard the church’s doctrine.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Can you name the leaders of your church? If not, ask your pastor for a list of their names. Your prayers play an important role in their effectiveness. The next time you see them, ask how you can pray for them. Then write each of their names on a three by five card and include the items they have asked you to pray about. In addition to the things they mention, ask God to help them in their responsibilities in their homes and in the community. Ask God to protect them in all areas of their lives.

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Read: Titus 1:7
Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless. - Titus 1:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
The scandals that come up during election campaigns in recent years have caused some to question whether moral character is essential to leadership. How important is a leader’s private life? If someone has the ability to lead, should we care about his or her morals? Where the church is concerned, moral character is a precondition to successful leadership. The church’s leaders, Paul writes, must be “blameless.” The Greek term used here means to be “without accusation.”

Consequently, the first consideration when evaluating a potential leader is not what the leader thinks of himself or herself but what others think about this individual. Certainly, this requirement is partly due to the public nature of the leader’s ministry. But image is not the only reason the church’s overseers must be blameless. There is a direct relationship between the quality of the leader’s character and the way leadership is exercised. Moral and spiritual character shape leadership style. Do you want to know what kind of leader someone will make in the church? Take a good look at their private life and you will know the answer.

As Paul spells out what blamelessness looks like in practical terms, he doesn’t confine himself only to positive characteristics. He also includes a list of negatives. These focus on two primary areas: the leader in relationship to others and

in relationship to himself. For example, he says that the church’s spiritual leaders should not be overbearing--people who are so full of themselves that they treat others with arrogance. Similarly, they should not be quick-tempered people who are prone to lash out in anger or act violently. They should not be in bondage to alcohol or greed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You don’t have to be a church leader to live by the standards outlined in today’s passage. How do you relate to others? Do you treat others with respect and patience or do you seem arrogant and quick-tempered? Do you have a problem with self-control?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:8
He must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. - Titus 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
American poet Robert Frost once wrote that home is a place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.

In a way, the church was meant to be the same kind of place. The Bible in Romans 12:13 commands believers to “practice hospitality.” Similarly, the author of Hebrews reminds his readers that some who have welcomed strangers have actually shown hospitality to angels without realizing it (Heb. 13:2). It’s not surprising, then, that one of the first positive traits of leadership that Paul lists in this section is the capacity to be hospitable.

The Greek term translated “hospitable” describes someone who literally is a “lover of strangers.” This qualification is coupled with another equally important kind of love. The leader is someone who loves what is good. There is an obvious connection between these two traits. The goal of hospitality is not merely to “entertain” strangers well, but to do good to them by showing them the love of Christ.

The other four positive characteristics mentioned in this verse focus primarily on matters of self-control and discipline. Spiritual maturity is marked by a standard of behavior that conforms to the will of God. Though these four traits are matters of personal practice, their results are very public and evident to all. None of the six qualities listed in this verse appears automatically in the believer’s life. They are all the results of individual choices and intentional behavior. We must choose to show love to those around us. We must learn to say no to the flesh and yes to God. Moreover, we must make these choices a matter of daily habit. But we have a Helper in this difficult task. Those who are in Christ have the power and the help of the Holy Spirit given to them. He will produce these charac-teristics in us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You can begin to practice the gift of hospitality and brotherly love by finding an individual or family in your church that you would like to know better. Invite them over to your house or out for coffee. You may even want to make it your ministry to help new families “bond” with your church. This might be as simple as sitting with them during the service or sharing a meal with them afterwards. Interacting with others in Christ’s love will not only help you develop a ministry of hospitality--you’ll be growing in spiritual maturity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 1:9
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message . . . so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine. - Titus 1:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jascha Heifetz, the famous violinist, was once asked why he had decided to accept an appointment as professor of music at the University of California after enjoying a successful career as a performer. “Violin playing is a perishable art,” Heifetz explained. “It must be passed on as a personal skill; otherwise it is lost.”

Biblical truth must also be passed on from one generation to the next, or it too will be lost. That’s why one of the qualifications for church leadership is the ability to teach and defend the gospel. In order to do this, leaders must have a firm grasp on the truth. This involves a dual responsibility. First, they must grasp it in the sense that they understand and affirm it. One of the leader’s chief tasks is to pass the truth of God’s Word on to others. They are to “encourage others by sound doctrine.” This is a ministry of using God’s Word to comfort others and spur them on to further obedience. It implies a receptive attitude on the part of those who hear.

Leaders also must make every effort to guard the truth. This is a ministry of confrontation. Paul warned that some would arise in the church and oppose the truth. These false teachers would appear to be godly on the outside, but in-wardly they would be people with depraved minds (2 Tim. 3:. This process of defection from the truth had already begun in Paul’s day and has remained a constant ever since. The prescribed remedy for it is to “refute” those who oppose sound doctrine. Those who know the truth have an obligation to point out the error of those who contradict it.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you know enough about the core doctrines of the faith to defend them in conversation with someone who opposes it? Your church’s doctrinal statement probably contains many key doctrines. If there are statements in it that you do not understand, make an appointment with your pastor to discuss them. To grow in your own ability to understand and defend the faith, consider taking a Moody Extension Studies course that deals with biblical doctrine or study a book about Christian theology.

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Read: Titus 1:10-11
They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach. - Titus 1:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
The old cliché says that silence is golden. The truth of this statement, however, depends upon the nature of that silence. When false doctrine is being taught, the silence of those who know the truth leads to immeasurable damage. That’s why Paul says that it’s the false teachers who “must be silenced.” In our age of religious pluralism and ethical relativism, Christians may find it hard to confront those who disagree with the basic truths of the Christian faith. Yet if we ignore false teaching, Paul warns that it will spread from individuals to families to entire churches. We can’t afford to be silent.

Our responsibility to contend with those who oppose the faith raises an important question. How do we discern between false doctrine and the legitimate differences that exist between believers? Not every difference in doctrine falls into the category of heresy. Some doctrines, like the doctrine of the deity of Christ or the doctrine of the Trinity, are so essential to the faith that without them we no longer have true Christianity. There are other issues, such as the order of worship services or the method of baptism, about which we can disagree amicably. The fact that we do so, however, does not mean that our differences are insignificant. We are simply acknowledging that we do not have perfect understanding of biblical truth. Based upon what we know, we believe our position is the right one. But we are willing to allow others to hold a different view without calling their faith into question.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What are the “non-negotiables” of Christian doctrine? Write “The Trinity” and “The deity of Christ” on a sheet of paper. Now add all the doctrines that you feel should be considered essentials of the Christian faith. Once your list is complete, ask your pastor or a Sunday school teacher to look it over. Do they agree with you? Or are there any doctrines that they would add or subtract from your list? If there are points of disagreement, use them as a starting point for your study of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.

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Read: Titus 1:12-14
This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith. - Titus 1:13–14
TODAY IN THE WORD
A British ambassador was reporting to Queen Elizabeth II about a head of state he had been having difficulty with. The ambassador tried to approach the subject delicately, using large words and complicated language. However, the more he spoke, the less clear he became. Finally, the exasperated queen interrupted and said, “Are you trying to tell me that the man is just bonkers?”

Paul was just as blunt in his assessment of the false teachers that Titus had to refute. Quoting the philosopher Epimenides, Paul declared, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” Epime-nides was a religious teacher who lived in the sixth century B.C. Aristotle and Cicero referred to him as a “prophet.” Paul quotes him because Epi-menides was from Crete and because of his strong criticism of his own people. Although his assessment was harsh, his opinion was widely shared. So much so, in fact, that in Greek culture, to call someone a “Cretan” was synonymous with calling that person a liar.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When are “sharp words” warranted in dealing with another believer? Paul’s directive to Titus provides a helpful checklist that can be used when we are considering a possible rebuke. First, how serious is the offense? These false teachers required a sharp rebuke because of the nature and impact of their teaching. Others were being seriously damaged by their false doctrine. Second, what is our motive? Is the goal redemptive? Do we want to sound off, or do we want them to be sound in the faith?