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(Midweek Devotions, 1 Timothy 6:17-21 - 25 Oct 2023) 1 Timothy 6:17-20 17  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  18  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  19  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 20  Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,  21  which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all. We are in the final last 5 verses in book of First Timothy, an important pastoral letter which is very helpful for any man of God...

(Midweek Devotion - 1 Timothy 6:11-16, 18 Oct 2023) 1 Timothy 6:11-16 11  But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12   Fight the good fight of the faith . Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13   I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14   to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15  which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. In the parting words of Apostle Paul to Timothy, aft...

(Midweek Devotion, 1 Timothy 6:3-5 - 04 Oct 2023) 1 Timothy 6:3-5 3  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4  he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5  and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. The bible is quite vocal in its warning against (1) a false prophet or false teachers, and (2) a false teaching or false doctrine. Jesus’ ministry had repeatedly criticise the Jewish religious leaders in their time and keep on correcting them in many occasions or warning the crowds or the Jewish people who follow their teachings. Paul in this part of his epistle to Timothy is similarly giving some warning to his child in faith and dealing...

(Midweek Devotion - 1st Timothy 5:1-2, 30 Aug 2023) 1st Timothy 5:1-2 1  Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, 2  older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters - with complete purity. One of the great thing about the Bible is not just its claim for Truth and Authority over the church of Christ but also it gives great acknowledgement and high respect to the authorities of anyone who were given such privilege to govern or to lead. The Bible itself lead everyone who believed on its Truth and Authority through its own example of giving valuable importance to those who are in the position of authority. In many instances of Biblical texts, it was commanded to submit to one who is in the position of authority and give them due respect. The word respect is synonymous to “ be subject to ”, “ submit to ”, or “ reverence to ”. Some of the New Testament references can be found in the following context: Romans 13:1-2 - 1...

(Midweek Devotion - 1 Timothy, 16 August 2023) 1 Timothy 4:11-16 (NET) 11  Command and teach these things. 12  Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. 13  Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14  Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. 15  Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. 16  Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you. Today is quite important passage as Apostle Paul continue to give his apostolic instruction to Timothy, the young man that he is guiding in his conduct in the ministry that was given to him. I firmly believe that this passage is equally...

(Midweek Devotion - 1 Timothy, 09 Aug 2023) 1 Timothy 4:6-10 6  If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7  Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8  for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10  For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. One of the metaphors used for disciples of Christ Jesus is that we are “Servants of Christ Jesus.” This comes from the illustration of “Master and Servant” relationship, which Master can be the Lord, the King, the Owner, or the Superior Being. Paul in his honest message...