Titus 1 ~ Hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined

Crete

Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 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, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 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.

10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

15 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. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.



In law cases, sometimes evidence is presented for months and eventually there is a moment where "The Moose Head Truth" arrives. Summation of proportion arrives where great truth is presented and the fact is Established.


Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Crete.

The dispersion of Greeks arrived.  This is understood to be the close tie to Crete. These are the faithful who board 'cruise' ships and arrive for High Holy Days in Jerusalem. Josephus records Passover and other Holy days can have up to 2 million people arrive in Jerusalem for Pilgrimage. Makes you realize that 2 millenniums ago - people were - similar. Human nature and God's nature show Scriptures repeat.

Crete.

Perhaps you have noticed with me. Jesus is wonderful. Jesus in John 21 is invited by the Greeks from Crete and Jesus replies: 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Jesus said the fate of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum. All fates were exactly correctly spoken. Jesus is God.

Jesus went back to the Samaritans having been thrown out of the rebuilding of the Second Temple for not keeping ancestral records correctly and brought the Samaritans into being the first to be told by Jesus said clearly in John 6, "I am the Christ." This is a Great Honor.

And the Greeks from Crete did not get to speak with Jesus and yet, they had wanted to honor Jesus. To offer him the service of living with them in Crete. To escape Herod.

And what happened to the Cretes with troubles listed - showing flaws?

The correct Aramaic is this:

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together "interweave" for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Now the truth is - weaving - is a process.

Like David's 22 years.
Joshua's 40 years.
Peter's 30 years.
Noah's 20-30 years.

And in Titus' life we find pray without ceasing - knowing Jesus is at work with the Father. This was a process and history records the paradise of work filled in Christ Jesus.

What happened to Crete a place where the Scriptures record "“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true."

So many people are disheartened to find so many apostles of Jesus died. And if you look to Titus set on a journey by Paul, and Crete blessed for honoring Jesus - you find this. Titus lived to very old as a Christian. 

Crete was considered to be a place where God was honored. A haven. An Oasis.

And in Titus' life we find pray without ceasing - knowing Jesus is at work with the Father. This was a process and history records the paradise of work filled in Christ Jesus.


Psalm 87


1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cusha—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah

7Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”

The preservation of Crete. Other paradise areas like San Francisco, Taiwan are not preserved in their Beauty.





Isaiah saw this of Heaven and recorded this in Isaiah 6 as sung to the God of all in Heaven - concerned with mere earth as important to Him in Heaven:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”







We have encountered the mercy of Christ Jesus to those of Crete following the footsteps of the life in Jesus.. And in seeing the beauty we see this of the Eternal Father we have in God.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully


And for interest in our Father God, let's think upon what God has said about Heaven - our Eternal Home in Jesus Christ. Paul told us he knew a man who was caught up in the 3rd level of Heaven. The First Council of Nicea, 325 A.D., was confirmed by the world changing Love the Christians gave they received from Jesus. And on that Council sat a Saint called Nikolaos of Myra, St. Nick- let out of prison because the former Emperor of Rome had called him to prison for believing upon Jesus as Christ. These men knew well of the miracles of The Acts of the Apostles. And they, filled with the Holy Spirit affirmed the Scriptures witness to the Truth and more believable to other faiths than the background of Christianity.

The Book of Enoch tells us more about Paul's visit to the 3rd level of Heaven. And says that the Garden of Eden now exists in the 3rd Level of Heaven. What happened to the Garden of Eden? Scriptures tell us this remained on Earth and was guarded by Angels to keep mankind out. Until the Flood and the Garden of Eden ceased to exist on earth. Heaven is the place! And His work is explained in

Colossians 1:18-20
in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him
to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.



In my opinion, the question is not 'if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a noise' but is instead all things are reconciled to God in Heaven. Not just sparrows, but forests and beauty passed on to Heaven.

Jesus Himself told us about Heaven. 

We will be with Him in Paradise.






We have seen some truly beautiful kites. Today was a wheel in the sky. I told Edward it reminded me of the song.

And then a few hours later, we had a beautiful full rainbow at the beach on South Padre Island, Texas today.

 It did not look like Crete, exactly, but we didn't have a storm - so the Rainbow was very beautifully impressive. We could see one side and then the other, a complete rainbow. 

A beautiful rainbow at the beach today. 


Genesis 9:13-17 

13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant
 between Me and the earth. 

14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, 
that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 

And I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant
 which I have established 
between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Father, our Abba,

You are our help and our shield.
We reverence You,Lord,
and will fully trust in our Lord!
You are our help and our shield.

You Lord remembered us; You will bless us;
You will bless us;
You will bless us;

Bless our friend to heal completely from cancer.

Our God will bless those who reverence the Lord,
both the small and the great.

May this please our Lord Father to give us increase,
and our children!

May the willingness of God be blessed by our Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

We pray for California to have peace and our nation and nations.

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
and the earth You has given to the children of man.

We will bless our Father God
from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise Jesus Lord God for His continued care for our prayers, loved ones, Churches, Jobs, Provision, Nation and the people around the World praying with Jesus in Joy, Faith, Love, Hope and Expectation and continuing to walk in the good deeds You have prepared for us! Alleluia in Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Luke 2:1-7 ~ Decree

One of the most spectacular aspects of God the Almighty, Creator of All, Father of Jesus Christ Triumphing over Death into Life, is the aspect of God as God. His Word is Law. Not a suggestion.

Wondering about God is filling us with Life. If God wanted to be the size of the Universe, He could be as gentle as the air filling our lungs. One of the common threads of near-death experiences is to realize, Heaven is at hand. The Walls melted and Heaven and Jesus are present. Filled with Love and Joy with incredible Peace.

Father God promises He is Steadfast. To find that the Resurrection echoes the Birth of Father God's Only Son - is a comforting and sustaining idea of God Himself. God has always worked towards eternally protecting His Children in Eternal ways.

Luke 2:1-7

In those days

a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that all the world should be registered.

2 This was the first registration when 
Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 

7 And she gave birth
 to her firstborn son 
and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In those days 
a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Isaiah 49:6.
"Yea, He saith, 'It is too light a thing for you to be My servant, to establish the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the scions of Israel, and I shall submit you as a light unto the nations, to be My salvation until the end of the earth'

John 1
Jesus is the Light of the world.

John 12:19
So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”


Acts 5:14
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women







2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

The Light of the world

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders

Luke 23:27

26 As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

27 A great multitude of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.



Luke 24.
All of Israel knew. 

4 And Joseph 
also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.



John 19

38 After these things Joseph
of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews

Asked Pilate 
that he might take away the body of Jesus, 
and Pilate gave him permission. 

Bethlehem - stables are built into the hills. Like Tombs of Israel often are.

So he came and took away his body. 

39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 

Magi brought spices and ointments of perfume.

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.




Palace of David - King of the Jews. David chose the view of Gardens.

41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.


Matthew 27
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Firstborn Son

Jeremiah 31
Declares the Lord: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Abba,

When Isaac was born, Abraham saw his flocks multiply and multiply.

When Jesus ministered to His People, the multitudes arrived immediately.

When Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was there immediately.

All times, and Plans of Yours are in Your Hands. Your Living, Working Hands.


Isaiah 9:7
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Let all the Beloved of God, lift up our Beloved with all Joy to Jesus, Son of our Living God.
Let all Nations of God, look to Him with anticipation of our Father's Willing Blessings.
Be so near, always, Your breathe is our lungs, Father God.

Let all of our cares rest in Your Love.
Let this Nation rise up as we Trust in You
For our dearly loved friend to be healed of cancer. Overcome. Healed by Jesus Christ. We ask Your Willing Blessings.

In the Name of Jesus, we will see the tender mercy of God asking for more Heaven on earth. His
Good and Gracious Will be done. Lord Jesus.

Your Amazing Love for us has no end and is always with us. Psalm 139 describes Your Circle around us. 

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

John 8:21-30 ~ always do the things that are pleasing to Him

John 8:21-30

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 

22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 

23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 

25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” 

Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”

27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Jesus plainly and clearly bore witness to Himself.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus repeated what God said to Moses:

Matthew 22:31-32 

And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:

32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."

Matthew 28:22b

Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 8:18

I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.

John 10:9

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.

John 10:38

but if I do them [works], even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

John 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 15:1

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."

John 17:9

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

John 10:30 

The Father and I are one.

John 4:26

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he [Messiah, he who is called Christ].”

Mark 14:62

And Jesus said, "I am [the Christ, the Son of the Most Blessed] , and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."

Claude Lorrain



When we look for the Historical Jesus, we find an incredible Historical trail.

The Largest Trail would be the Roman Empire persecution of Christians within 16 years of the death of Jesus. Astonishing the Historian from Judah, Josephus. Josephus is the General of Judean Army and Historian to 3 Roman Emperors. The surviving texts from the time of Jesus alive from Judah. The on and off persecution of Christians for 325 years before Constantine adopted Christianity for the Empire.

I'd say the most interesting to me, would be Bishop Papias of Hierapolis - who learned about Jesus from His Disciple John on Patmos. And had to board a ship and head to Judah to interview everyone who had met Jesus or been miraculously healed. Or an eyewitness of the miracles of Jesus.

Bishop Papias of Hierapolis had an important fan - St. Jerome who copied all the Chapters and Books of the Bible into Latin at the Pope's request in the 4th Century A.D. We learn about Bishop Papias the most from Jerome who had all of Bishop Papias papyrus with Jerome.

Bishop Papias of Hierapolis Historians B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel and Henry Barclay Swete, maintain these references to Papias are credible. Papias also has recorded John's support for the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Papias wrote five books interviewing the accuracy of the sayings of Jesus by speaking with witnesses. Eusebius quoted Papias from time to time.


Blessed Abba, our Father,

Dwell in us. 

Let us come to you with health concerns, ears, heart, memory, soul feeding our bodies and mind. For our friend to find strength from infection and raising appetite and hemigloban. Total healing. Wonderful man of Your's. Your willing mercy and miracles.

All situations in our lives and rest them with You in trust and care. Giving you our loved ones and their concerns. The people we pray for. And our prayers cover the planet, there is not an hour as the planet moves, someone is not praying and You are listening, acting, Loving, giving Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace.

More Heaven on earth.

Jesus is God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Acts 16:25-40 ~ he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God

Acts 16:25-40

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 

 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 

 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 

The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. 

And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

It was quite the season - the whole of Acts Chapter 16. Things changed daily and monthly. Cities were traveled through and the next day - the next city. New disciples arrived. The magistrates were thrilled to have a reason to beat Paul and Silas. Little did the prison jailer believe that his jail would have an earthquake and his household would become baptized believers. Little did the magistrates believe they would be apologizing and afraid.

Did the disciples gloat? They were beaten after all...
no - they visited and encouraged.

The new believers were afraid to believe - filled with trepidation?

No! The new believers were equipped and glad to have the relationship with Jesus.

Psalm 30
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.


Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength


Abba, Father God! 
We look to You fill our hearts with love and let us love one another.

The Blessings of today, You've willingly provided. Thank You so very much.

Bless our friend who has cancer, to heal completely.

Renew, restore and establish us with the encouragement of Your Holy Spirit, 
we ask in the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †