Titus & Hebrews

Today is Thursday.  We had a great day time at Church last night and I really enjoyed the testimony of a couple's salvation, the singing by the children twice, the choir special and orchestra, and the blessings of God's people.  God has been good to us!  I've been reading in the last section of the New Testament and somehow, I got ahead in my reading so I'm having to backtrack and read slow forward again, so I'm ending up in Hebrews and then I have two days of reading.  I think in this new Bible I numbered the pages wrong.  (I number one through 60 every 20 chapters, so I know what day I should be on, and I've noticed I have miss numbered some of the time.  But, I will fix this.)  Anyway, here are a few thoughts:   1) HE CALLED THEM BY NAME- Paul says in II Tim. 2:17 "And their word will eat as doth a canker:  of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;"  Here he calls them by name and then says they "concerning the truth have erred" in the next verse.  These were racals, and Paul lets everyone know it.  Wow.  Sometimes in order to protect those who desire to live godly and correctly, we have to make the enemies of the truth known.  Never a fun thing, but sometimes it is necessary as Paul tells us by example.  He made them known!   2) GOOD WORKS- We certainly are not saved by works, but to think that we are all grace and now being saved there are no works for us to do would be to ignore Scripture.  Titus 1:16 says:  "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."  Then in Titus 3:8  "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."   And, also in Titus 3:14  "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful."  So, the Bible is full of passages like this.  We are not saved by works, but we are saved to work and that is Bible!   3) HOW IS YOUR HEARING?  Three times in Hebrews (3:7, 3:15; 4:7) we read:  "To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts,"  God is speaking... are we listening?  The Bible says "To day if ye will hear his voice..."  Will we listen to the Lord speaking to us today.  He speaks by His Word, His Spirit, His Servants, life's circumstances, our consciousness, etc.  In so many ways, some authoratatively (Like His Word), some very subtlely like signs put out along life's highway just for us.  But, are we listening?  That is the key.... listening to Jesus!   4) WHO RECEIVES WHAT- Hebrews 7:8 says:  "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."  Men may receive tithes on earth, but in reality, Jesus receives them in Heaven.  Our gifts are a testament to the fact that Jesus is alive!  We give to a risen Savior, and we give knowing that we are laying up treasures in Heaven.  Looking forward to that day!   Dear Lord, let my ears be open to Your voice today.  Let me hear Your slightest suggestion, Your slightest whim is my desire to obey.  I need Thee, I love Thee, I desire Thee to guide me, speak to me, and grant my Thy wisdom.  I want to please Thee today, please take my life, and let it be used for Thy glory and honor.  I praise You and exalt you as my dear God and Lord of all.  I love You Lord....  Amen.   Have a blessed day in the LORD.  Pastor Mike Mutchler