TITUS-PHILEMON-HEBREWS

I am in eastern Oregon, Summerville, for a preacher's meeting so I missed yesterday.  Here are some thoughts from Titus through Hebrews. 1) SETTING THINGS IN ORDER-Titus 1:5- Paul tells Titus to "set in order the things that are wanting" and then starts talking about ordaining pastors (elders) and then the qualifications of "bishops" in verses 7-9.  The way to "set in order the things that are wanting" is to have a Pastor!  So many churches are having the laymen rule the church and calling them an "elder board".  Even in the old days, some churches have had their "deacon board" run the church.  Both are wrong!  There is no "board" found in the Bible other than something you nail together.  WE need to stay Biblical in these days.  The Bible talks about Pastors and Deacons and that is all.  The deacons are to help the Pastor, not control them, not dictate to them, not to question them, but to help the Pastor implement his vision for the church.  The words: pastor, elder, bishop, shepherd, an overseer; are all talking about the same office of the Pastor.  Each word describes a different aspect of his ministry as a pastor.  A good pastor will help to "set things in order".  2) GOOD WORKER WANTED- This is the AD that runs in God's newspaper, the Bible!  Titus 1:16 "unto every good work"; Titus 2:14 "a peculiar people, zealous of good works"; Titus 3:1 "ready to every good work"; Titus 3:8 "careful to maintain good works"; Titus 3:14 "And let ours also learn to maintain good works".  HEY... could you call about this job posting??  Let us so live our lives that we could be hired by God as a good workers! 3) HOW? - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?  That question is asked in Hebrews 2:3, and it is not talking to the lost, but us!  So, what does it mean?  It means that if after being saved, we neglect the Salvation God provided to save us and make us a new creature, how do we think we can escape God having to deal with our sin and disobedience?  We will not!  Just look at the backslidden Christians around you and see the heartbreak and ruined lives, like litter on the sides of a busy street.  Ruined, lives, marriages, children, homes, jobs, futures, health, and the list goes on and on.  Don't try to be an escape artist, let us enjoy the great salvation we have and live for God!! 4) LOOKING UNTO JESUS- Heb. 12:2 tells us to do this, and it is the only way to stay faithful in the Christ life.  We must look to Him and not others!  Others will fail us, but not the LORD!!  Lord, help me look to YOU in every situation today, help me not to lean upon mine own understanding, but help me to look to you with ears to hear and hands to help, and feet to run to your bidding.  Help my heart to be sensitive, not hard; help my neck to turn your way, not be stiff necked and unmoveable; help my spirit to be soft so that the impression of your leadership is all I need, not a swift kick in the seat of the pants!  LORD, I am yours today..... as I look to YOU, use me!!  Please, use me! Well, all for today.  Have a blessed day with the Lord.... Pastor Mike Mutchler