OCTOBER 8, 2024
READ: Titus 2 (Focus vs.1-5)
MEMORY VERSE
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree… they will still bear fruit in old age.” Psalm 92:12-14
BACKGROUND
When people think about the 100-meter dash, current world-record holder Usain Bolt might come to mind. But we can’t forget about Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins.
In 2021, Julia crossed the finish line before all other runners to win the 100-meter dash in the Louisiana Senior Games. Her time was a bit slower than Bolt’s 9.58 seconds—just over 60 seconds. But she was also 105 years old!
There’s a lot to like about a woman who’s still running sprints at her age. And there’s a lot to like about believers in Jesus who never stop running the race with Him as their goal (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The psalmist says this about the faithful in the later stages of life: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, . . . they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (92:12-14).
Older believers who follow this kind of standard can find further instruction in the apostle Paul’s letter to Titus. Seasoned men are to be “sound in faith, in love and in endurance” (Titus 2:2), and senior women are “to teach what is good” (v. 3).
There’s no call for older believers to stop running the race. Maybe not the way Julia does on the track, but in ways that honor God as He provides the strength they need. Let’s all run the race to serve Him and others well.
By: Dave Branon
INSIGHT
Paul had left Titus in Crete so that he “might put in order what was left unfinished” as the church took root there (Titus 1:5).
He begins chapter 2 of his letter to Titus with “You” (v. 1), which signals a shift from the “rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception” he’d mentioned in chapter 1 (v. 10).
Of such people, he writes, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (v. 16). Chapter 2 instructs Titus on how to guide the true believers. Significantly, “self-controlled” is a recurrent theme throughout the section (vv. 2, 5, 6, 12).
As Paul says, “The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (vv. 11-12). That’s great advice for us as well.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
What are some things you can do to reach others for Christ and help them grow in faith? How can you encourage other believers to serve as they can?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Let’s all run the race to serve Him and others well.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, thank You for every day you give me. No matter my age, help me to strive to run the race for Your honor.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I’M NOT TIRED YET” Dorothy Norwood
‘ve been running for Jesus a long time
No, no, no, I ain’t got tired yet
I’ve been running for Jesus a long time
No, no, no, I ain’t got tired yet
I’ve been running for Jesus a long time…
Running for Jesus a long time
Been running for Jesus a long time
I’m not tired
I’m not tired
Listen
I’ve been running by day and praying by night
Got to keep going, it’s a mighty hard fight
It’s an uphill journey along the way
Running for Jesus
I been running for Jesus
Running for Jesus
Running…
I been running for Jesus…
Sometimes crying
But I kept on running
Running in the storm
I been running in the rain
Sometimes, the sun was shining
Kept on running
Yeah, running
Yeah, running…
Running for Jesus…
Kept on running
Running for Jesus
Sometimes by myself
But I kept on running…
Doors closed in my face
But I kept on running
People lied on me
But I kept on running
Giving up the right for the wrong…
But I kept on running
I kept on running
Yeah, run
Yeah, run…for Jesus
I’m not tired…
I ain’t got tired…
Running for Jesus
Kept on running…
Get tired sometimes
But I kept on running…
People lied on me
But I kept on running
Tears in my eyes
But I kept on running…
Sometimes sick
But I kept on running
Prayed sometimes
People didn’t wanna listen to me
But I kept on running
We’ve been running…
A long time…
We’ve been running…
A long time…
A long time
Thank you Jesus
Thank you Jesus
For keeping me running…
Running…
Running…
I’m not tired
No, I’m not tired yet
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
1 CORINTHIANS 5
