Affirmation

Titus 3:1-8 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Have you ever wondered how you can keep the spark of your relationship with God alive in your heart?  Remember how you felt when you would leave camp as a teenager?  Or during revival when you hear good preaching and God stirs you inside your heart?  Remember those feelings of being right up next to Jesus and the lightness of the joy in your soul that makes you feel as though you can conquer the world? Remember getting things right with God and purging your life of hidden sins and strongholds? Remember how good it felt to just “come clean”?   How do you keep that fresh and alive?

In Titus, we find Paul admonishing Titus to affirm constantly the doctrines taught in the previous chapters.   He is telling this preacher to teach, preach, remind and keep the Gospel in front of the church, not just a little but constantly.  If the Holy Spirit of God breathed these words into Paul for him to write, then I really and truly believe that we all ought to sit up and pay attention as to why!  God knows we need to have reminders.  He knows our frame.  He knows we are but flesh.  He knows the power and lure of the world is something that easily distracts Christians from keeping their full attention on Him and His plan.

So, let’s put this all in practical everyday ideas.  We need affirmation of all that we know and have been taught.  All day long we need things in our lives that bolster our faith, not things that suffocate it.

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

That means we are to REJECT all that is contrary to God.  Anything that would have us hankering after something that pulls us in the other direction.

1.       What are you listening to?  By this I mean everything that goes into your ears.  Yes, I know that a lot of Christians differ on what music is right, but a good test is to see if what is being sung matches up to God’s desire for our lives or if it is teaching contrary thoughts.  If it is, we are to reject it.  If all I am doing is listening to Katy Perry sing about being a “Dark Horse” or Taylor Swift telling some guy she can make him good for the weekend, then I am not affirming God’s teaching in Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  There are plenty of good, sound Christian radio stations on air and online that you can fill your life with daily.  Listening to good gospel music and preaching may make you think of a snooze fest, but that is because you have been feeding your flesh and it doesn’t lust after the good stuff.  It just wants the junk.  But your spirit is starving for affirmation of all that is good and healthy for your walk with God.  You can go to http://www.centralbaptistocala.org/ and click on their http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/WTYG link for a good station.  And if anyone reading this has one that they would suggest, add it in the comment section below. 

2.       What are you watching?  If you are constantly affirming the lust of the flesh in what you look at, then guess what?  That closeness with God you feel at Jubilee and Campmeeting isn’t going to hang around very long.  Before long you will be filled with distrust towards your family, friends and church.  You will be seeing them through the world’s eyes and unfaithfulness instead as your brothers and sisters in Christ.  So watch something that will affirm and reaffirm good sound doctrine.  My pastor, Dr. John Smith, is one that is exciting to watch and listen to.  He teaches and preaches good sound doctrine of the faith. Want to watch something good?  You can go to https://www.teaysvalleybaptist.com/ and watch live or recent sermons.  Get some affirmation in your life!

You may think to yourself that I am being hard nose and too preachy.  But I can safely and confidently say, I am not.  I am just trying to wave a big old bright flag of warning in front of our eyes so we don’t end up in destruction.  We can do what is right as women of God and reject the worldly appetite that seems to always creep up!  Maybe you are better and more spiritual than me, but I constantly have to fight my flesh.  Minute by minute sometimes it seems.  And this thing of affirming GOOD stuff in my spiritual life HELPS me!

Let’s get some affirmation of sound doctrine in our lives.  It will help keep us on this journey to know God better!

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri