A Weekday Devotional Podcast <br/><br/><a href="https://hopeforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">hopeforlife.substack.com</a>
A Verse, A Comment, A Prayer, A Blessing
Claim This Podcastby Casey B. Hough
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211 episodes
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Podcast Overview
A Weekday Devotional Podcast <br/><br/><a href="https://hopeforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">hopeforlife.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/30/2021
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Recent Episodes
November 24, 2025
A Painful but Good Reminder (Titus 3:1-3)
<p>Preface - Be Sure to Check Out the Podcast Audio Linked Above.</p><p>A Verse</p><p>Titus 3:1-3</p><p>1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 <strong>For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.</strong></p><p>A Comment</p><p>Having considered verses 1-2, we now look at verse 3, which functions as a partial explanation for why Titus’ congregation should “speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Paul’s explanation is that “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” In other words, the people that you are tempted to speak evil of, to fight with, to be harsh toward, and to be inconsiderate to are not much different from us before God’s grace in Christ changed us. </p><p>Thus, verse 3 serves as a painful but good reminder of who we were before God’s merciful salvation came to us. When we are tempted to treat others sinfully, we should remember our former condition. God did not show kindness toward us because we were more deserving than others. Likewise, as those called to reflect God’s character, we also shouldn’t attempt to justify cruelty and sin toward others because we feel they deserve it. No one really deserves kindness. But that’s part of the point that Paul is making here. We do not treat people as they deserve to be treated because God has not treated us as we deserve to be treated. God is merciful and patient toward us. And, in light of how this mercy and patience have changed us (as we will see in the following verses), we ought to be the most merciful and patient people our undeserving neighbors and enemies encounter in this sin-broken world.</p><p>A Prayer</p><p>Would you pray with me? (Pray along with me in the audio version linked above)</p><p>A Blessing</p><p>Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough at <a href="https://hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe</a>
November 11, 2025
The Outrage Isn't Holy - Titus 3:1-2
<p>A Verse</p><p>Titus 3:1-2</p><p>1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 <strong>to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.</strong></p><p>A Comment</p><p>With verse 2, “Paul turns to our relationship with everybody in the community.” The first two points are stated negatively: do not speak evil and avoid quarreling. The last two are positive: be gentle and show perfect courtesy toward all people. In a sense, these ideas work in parallel, teaching through contrast. It would be difficult to be gentle and courteous toward others if you were also bent on slandering them or starting fights with them.</p><p>To be sure, the idea of “slander” or “speaking evil” here does not exclude the need for correction or confrontation when necessary, but rather emphasizes that our words must be true and seasoned with grace. The Christian is called to be a peacemaker, not a quarrelsome spirit. Robert Yarbrough notes, “A sharp tongue is often combined with an irascible spirit and confrontational behavior. These tendencies are inconsistent with confessing Christ as Lord and Savior.” As Paul would tell us elsewhere, such behavior is unbecoming of God’s people—and especially of those who proclaim the gospel. Based on what I see on social media, I can’t help but wonder if some Christians need to be reminded to read Titus again.</p><p>There’s a needed reminder here about how we represent Christ in a culture fueled by outrage. Gentleness and courtesy are not weakness; they are strength under control and the mark of a heart shaped by grace. (<a target="_blank" href="https://a.co/d/0QjIVcw">If you are looking for a resource that covers this in more depth, check out my latest book </a><a target="_blank" href="https://a.co/d/0QjIVcw">When Poets Were Warriors</a><a target="_blank" href="https://a.co/d/0QjIVcw"> here</a>) They reveal that our confidence is not in winning debates but in displaying the character of the One who has already conquered sin and death. What the world needs most is not louder Christians with sharper words but humbler Christians with Christlike hearts, people who speak truth with conviction, patience, and love.</p><p><p>Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p>A Prayer</p><p>Would you pray with me?</p><p>A Blessing</p><p>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)</p><p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough at <a href="https://hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe</a>
November 11, 2025
Ready for Every Good Work (Titus 3:1-2)
<p>Preface - Be Sure to Check Out the Podcast Audio Linked Above.</p><p>A Verse</p><p>Titus 3:1-2</p><p>1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, <strong>to be ready for every good work</strong>, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.</p><p>A Comment</p><p>Last week, we considered the Christian’s responsibility to “be submissive” and “obedient” to ruling authorities. Today, we note one of the limits to such submissiveness and obedience as Paul commands Titus to remind his audience to “be ready for every good work.”</p><p>Commenting on this verse, John Stott wrote, “The emphasis on ‘whatever is good’ not only clarifies our responsibility but limits it. We cannot cooperate with the state if it reverses its God-given duty, promoting evil instead of punishing it, and opposing good instead of rewarding and furthering it.” I find this to be a helpful point. As Christians, we are constrained to do “every good work.” And, as Denny Burk has mentioned regarding this verse, “This presumes both a knowledge of what God’s revelation requires and a willingness to do it.”</p><p>Because God has revealed His will to His people, we do not have to wonder what it means to “be ready for every good work.” As we will see in the days ahead, these good works are the result of transformed hearts. They are not the grounds of our justification before God, but they are the fruit of God’s grace working in us. </p><p>A Prayer</p><p>Will you pray with me?</p><p>A Blessing</p><p>The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)</p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough at <a href="https://hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe</a>
211 total episodes available
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