Titus 3 - Nathanael

Some really great instruction in very concise form: 

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.  

Titus 3:1‭-‬2

Very concise summary of how  we should live. 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 

Titus 3:3‭-‬5

We must remember where we came from and how God had undeserved mercy on us. This helps us to live in humility and to reach out to others. 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  

Titus 3:8

Devote to doing good. A life focus. 

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 

Titus 3:1‭0

The three strike rule  existed before baseball. 

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:14 NIV

Doing good, providing for others, productive lives. Nice summary! 

http://bible.com/111/tit.3.1-14.NIV

Titus 2 - Nathanael

Paul gives instruction for things to teach various age, gender and  status groups. 

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 

Titus 2:2‭-‬3‭

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 

Titus 2:6,9

The slave instructions are good for employees, students and children add well. 

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:12 NIV

A good instruction for all of us 

http://bible.com/111/tit.2.2-12.NIV

Hebrews 1 - Jason

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb. 1:3)

Jesus is far superior to any angel or spirit. Actually, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed before any of the angels were created.

Titus 1 - Nathanael

Paul gives instructions to Titus who is on the island of Crete.  One of his tasks is to appoint elders.  The qualifications that Paul lists are quite standards and really are a goal for any believer.

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Titus 1:6

Just this qualification is a high bar, especially when looking at the children, that they are believers and not wild or disobedient.  I wonder how often we are taking these qualifications seriously.

Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

Titus 1:7-8

Blameless is obviously a high standard :). Lord Jesus, please work in my life by your Holy Spirit that I may continue to follow you with all my heart and soul!

2 Timothy 4 - Nathanael

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 

2 Timothy 4:2

Be prepared at all times to serve God with the gifts you have. 

for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 

2 Timothy 4:10

I wonder what his love of the world was. Perhaps things were too difficult in this place or conditions sparce. Probably things were better in Thessalonica. We do often want to avoid hardship but we need to stay where God is working until he says to go. 

You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.  

2 Timothy 4:15

Contrary to some belief, as believers we should be wary of certain people who oppose the gospel. 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18 NIV

 No matter the difficulty God has our backs!

http://bible.com/111/2ti.4.2-18.NIV

Philemon - Jason

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. (Phil. 1:10-12)

I think it's cool that Paul was asking Philemon to accept fellowship with a young man who was at one time not useful as a minister of God's work, but then he was changed by God and cleansed to become useful again for ministry.

2 Timothy 3 - Nathanael

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 

2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus said this too. I think that we as Christians try to avoid persecution at all cost. The problem is that it causes us to compromise and water down the good news. 

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 

2 Timothy 3:14

A call to perseverance. 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

God's word is powerful and extremely useful. If we want to be thoroughly equipped, we should love it, read it, memorize it, meditate on it and pattern our life after it. 

http://bible.com/111/2ti.3.12-17.NIV

2 Timothy 1 - Nathanael

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

2 Timothy 1:6

Wr can have a gift of the Spirit but not have actualized its benefit or potential. 

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,  

2 Timothy 1:9

Our salvation is not based on us or what we have done but rests wholey in Christ. 

That is why I am suffering as I am.

Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

Paul had entrusted his very life to Christ and he is certain that he will guard his life until the time of Christ's return or until he goes to be with Christ. 

http://bible.com/111/2ti.1.6-12.NIV

1 Timothy 5 - Nathanael

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  

1 Timothy 6:9‭-‬10

Money is an intoxicating idol. It is deceitfully alluring and traps us without our notice. We need money to live but that so easily turns to a love of money that ensnares us. It is important to take stock of our current situation and make efforts to be free from the snares that wrap around us. 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:‬17 NIV

What is great here is how God not only takes care of our needs but also richly provides for our enjoyment.

We must learn to trust in God and not money. 

http://bible.com/111/1ti.6.9-17.NIV

1 Timothy 4 - Nathanael

Closing words of wisdom to a spiritual son. 

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 

1 Timothy 4:7

There are things in life to avoid and things to focus on. One good focus is godliness. 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 

1 Timothy 4:8

In fact, godliness can be pursued and grown in much like one would pursue physical training. 

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:16 NIV

Right living and right teaching go hand in hand. Both are needed for living properly before God. 

http://bible.com/111/1ti.4.7-16.NIV

1 Timothy 3 - Nathanael

Paul gives to Timothy the qualifications for elders and deacons (ministers). These really are simply guidelines for all men and women to aim for. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

1 Timothy 3:1‭, ‬8‭-‬8‭, ‬11 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1ti.3.1-11.NIV

2 Timothy - Jason

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim. 1:7)

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Tim. 2:5)

If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Tim. 2:21)

All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (2 Tim. 3:12)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim. 4:5)

1 Thessalonians 5 - Nathanael

Often at the end of a letter, Paul puts in a whole bunch of small statements, encouragements, admonitions, and instructions that are quite powerful. 

Here he gives quite a few. 

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 5:9

Here in his wrap up of end times he encourages us by saying that God's intent for us is for good and not harm. 

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Don't pay back wrong for wrong - 2nd commandment

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice, pray, give thanks. These are God's will for constant life action. 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt reject every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19‭-‬20‭, ‬22 NIV

Don't ignore or throw out the things God says propheticly.

http://bible.com/111/1th.5.9-22.NIV

1 Thessalonians 4 - Nathanael

Paul gives instructions for holy and godly living (as he often does) and then encourages them with the hope of the resurrection of the dead and living with Christ! 

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 

1 Thessalonians 4:3‭, ‬5

Here are some of the holy living commands. He also talks about loving one another more and more - godly living. 

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16‭-‬18 NIV

An end- time description of what will happen when Christ returns. The dead in Christ will rise and those in Christ still living will join Christ in the clouds and both will live with him forever. 

http://bible.com/111/1th.4.3-18.NIV

1 Thessalonians 3 - Nathanael

Paul as a spiritual father is missing his children and longs to see them. He is encouraged that they are still following Jesus though they are facing persecutions. He prays this prayer of blessing on them: 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:12‭-‬13 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1th.3.12-13.NIV

1 Thessalonians 1 - Nathanael

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We often get pulled between the two sides of grace and works and need to understand from passages like this the balance between them. 

Here we see work produced by faith.  This is fully consistent with Paul's other statements about faith and work and demonstrates that works spring from faith (but not the other way around). As James says, "faith without works is dead."

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:3‭, ‬6 NIV

They were suffering severely but still found joy from the Holy Spirit as the received the good news. 

http://bible.com/111/1th.1.3-6.NIV

Colossians 2 - Nathanael

Paul continues in his letter to the Colossians writing to warn them not to be led astray by false teachings. He begins by clarifying some things about who Jesus is (fully God) and then warns them about types of false teaching to avoid. 

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 

Colossians 2:2‭

Paul's goal is to encourage and teach about who Jesus is. 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 

Colossians 2:8

False teachings here depend on human traditions (some from Jewish law, others from ascetic and other traditions) and spiritual forces that are not from Jesus. These can be detected by whether or not they agree with who Jesus is and what he came to do. That is why Paul writes about who Jesus is (fully God) and what he came to do (save us from our sins).

 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians 2:21‭-‬23 NIV

Sometimes ascetic teachings appear wise, especially to those who are disciplined in following Christ. Discipline can be good, but putting on a bunch of rules doesn't ultimately change our heart. We must fully surrender to Christ and he is the one who changes us.

http://bible.com/111/col.2.2-23.NIV

Colossians 1 - Nathanael

This letter is different from some others in that Paul is writing to believers who he didn't personally bring to Christ and whom he hasn't met (similar to the letter top the Romans).  Paul begins this letter with encouragements and teaching about Jesus. 

There is a long connecting encouragement starting in verse 9 and going to verse 12.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. 

  - he starts by saying he had been praying for them constantly

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,  

  - he asks God to fill them with the knowledge of his will.  This is the crux of his request and it has many effects in their lives 

  1) so they live worthy lives

  2) they bear fruit and grow in knowledge of God

  3) strengthened with God's power

  4) great endurance and patience

  5) give joyful thanks to the Father

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

Colossians 1:9‭-‬12

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 NIV

The previously hidden mystery: Christ living inside gentiles who accept him by faith

http://bible.com/111/col.1.9-27.NIV

Philippians 4 - Nathanael

Paul addresses a number of topics here - many dealing with what I'd cal emotional health: peace nor worry, renewed mind,  and contentment

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 4:6‭-‬8‭

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

Philippians 4:12

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

http://bible.com/111/php.4.6-19.NIV

Philippians 3 - Nathanael

In this letter to the Philippians we see this tension that Paul writes about in other letters as well, namely the tension between righteousness built on faith versus works. At the heart of it we must understand that faith is built firmly on the work that God has done and not us. We cannot save ourselves or change ourselves or do right ourselves. But God in his mercy comes and rescues us when we put our hope and trust in him alone. He then forgives us and rescues us from the penalty of our sins - death - and he changes us to be able to want and to do righteously. But it is not done there!  From there we must make choices and take action based on what God had done. God enables both of them and we then live in accordance with him, working out or salvation with fear and trembling. 

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, 

Philippians 3:8

Nothing that we have or came from (accomplishments or heritage) are with anything in Christ. I  fact Paul counts it all as garbage in light of Jesus. 

not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 

Philippians 3:9

This verse in combination with the one below paint the picture of the tension between faith and works. 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 3:14

This verse in isolation is about works. But in context it is about living in the freedom granted to us by Christ. 

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  

Philippians 3:16

Don't go backwards. Keep doing what Christ had worked in us. 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:‬20‭-‬21 NIV

Amen! That is an exciting reminder! 

http://bible.com/111/php.3.8-21.NIV