1-2-2019

Good Morning All,

          2 Corinthians 7:6; “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus”  

     The day after New Year’s Day.  It is time for things to return to normal; whatever that is.  We have had two winter storms with a little freezing rain thrown in.  We have some federal workers who are not getting paychecks.  We have some farmers who are wondering if farming this spring is an option.  We have some elderly who wonder if they will see spring.  These can be some tough days ahead and we just got through the holidays.

     Some didn’t celebrate as much as others do.  Some had less reason to celebrate.  Maybe it is someone who has lost a loved one.  Maybe it is someone who has lost a job or whose health has deteriorated over this past year.  Even during the season of giving and celebrating, there are some who struggle finding something to celebrate.

    For most people, the feeling of loneliness is one of the greatest stresses of the season.  Watching others celebrate can be painful.  They may need to be comforted; they may need a “Titus” in their life.

     The apostle Paul, when writing to the church in Corinth, was being assailed on many fronts.  The Jews and the leaders of the Temple were mad at him for changing sides.  The Romans were mad at him for stirring up trouble in the various cities where riots were occurring because of his teaching.  He travelled much, was shipwrecked, stoned, whipped, put in jail, and had some malady which caused him to suffer.  At various times in his ministry, Paul was exhausted and needed comfort.

     God came and comforted Paul.  God used a young man named Titus to come and comfort him and to aid him in his ministry.  Whatever Titus did, it gave Paul the rest and the encouragement that he needed to continue.  Titus went on to be a church pastor so perhaps he preached for Paul occasionally.  Perhaps he delivered the letters, perhaps he wrote while Paul dictated, perhaps he was just someone who was enjoyable to be with and offered words of comfort, consolation and was an encouraging soul.

    During my life, I have known many “Tituses”; some who don’t know that they were.  I hope you have known a Titus or two in your life as well.  That at those times when you needed it, God sent a “Titus” to you as well.  God promises to comfort us, to be there and to hold us in his hand and to offer us the comfort we need.  God usually works through His creation to sustain us; that means He uses many different people to be Titus in our life.

    As you give thanks, remember those who were a Titus to you and gives thanks for them; and to them if you can.  Then, when you see the opportunity, be a Titus to someone.  It might be inviting someone to dinner or clean their sidewalk.  It might be a soup kitchen of some sort you can help at or donate to.  It might be the neighbor who lost their spouse or child and really needs a shoulder today.  So after you give thanks to God, give if yourself and be a Titus to someone today.

Dear Father, we give you thanks for all the blessings which you bestow on us.  We are especially thankful for those who have been a Titus to us and brought us comfort.  Use us to be a Titus to others who are in need of your comfort.  Bless all those who are a Titus today.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret