A Letter to a Friend

Written By Betty Predmore

TITUS 1:1-16

(October 26)

Just recently, I received a letter in the mail from a friend. It is a rare occurrence these days for friends to send "snail mail" when we are all just an email, text, post, or message away.

First, I saw that it was addressed to me ...exciting! I love getting mail. Then I opened it and saw the sweet words inside, along with some photos, and I was so delighted. There is just nothing like mail from a friend, just to let you know they were thinking about you.

In the book of Titus, Paul is writing to one of his most trusted and dependable friends, Titus. Paul sent him to Corinth on more than one occasion when the church needed help. The two of them had traveled together to Jerusalem and Crete, where Paul left him to oversee all the new churches that were popping up everywhere. Paul recognized the leadership ability in his friend, and gave him authority, knowing he would use his abilities to further the gospel.

Paul wrote this letter between his first and second imprisonments. He wanted to give Titus some guidance on how to handle the new believers in Crete. Having a strong pagan influence on the island, Paul knew Titus would encounter some issues and would have to lead strongly and boldly in Christ.

Paul spells out to Titus some of the attributes of a good church leader: living a blameless life, faithful to his wife and children, not arrogant or quick-tempered, not a heavy drinker, or violent, or an abuser of money. He was to find joy in hospitality, live wisely, in a devoutly Christian manner. He must strongly believe in the message he speaks and able to encourage others. And he must be able to speak to those who oppose his teachings, showing them where they are wrong.

A lot of Cretans had a bad reputation. They were called liars and lazy gluttons. Paul wanted Titus to know how much his leadership was needed on this island. They might claim to know God, but for many, their actions spoke otherwise.

Do you know people like the Cretans? They claim to be a follower of Jesus, yet they spend their time doing things that don't represent Christ at all. They have one foot in the kettle and the other in the clouds.

People cannot see what is in our hearts. They see what we do on the outside. If we want to say our hearts follow Jesus, then our actions need to line up with our words.

How are you lining up?

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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