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(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...

(Midweek Devotions - 1st Timothy, 02 Aug 2023) 1  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2  through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3  who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5  for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. Going back to our Midweek Devotion series, we are now in the new chapter of the first epistle of Apostle Paul to Timothy. In chapter 4, Paul begin to remind and warned Timothy, his child in faith, of the things to happen in the future. Again, this is not just an apostolic instructions given by Apostle Paul but a testimony of what the Spirit of Truth has revealed on him. The detailed description ...

(Midweek Devotion -1 Timothy 3, 26 July 2023) 1 Timothy 3:14-16 14  I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15  But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.     16  And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. From the last 2 devotionals we have had in 1 Timothy chapter 3, we have been instructed by Apostle Paul on how we appoint an elders and deacons of the local church. This task has been charged to the existing church leaders that they may avoid to make a wrong decision in choosing someone in a position of leadership or in service. Now, let us take a look on how Paul conclude in summary this instruction given to Timothy. Pau...

(Midweek Devotion - 1 Timothy 3:8-13, 19 July 2023) 1 Timothy 3:8-13 8  In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  9  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.  10  They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11  In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12  A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.  13  Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. It was almost three weeks of pause since the last time I shared the article for our Midweek Devotional series from the book of 1st Timothy. Forgive me for such pauses, I am hoping to resume this series back...

(Midweek Devotion - 1 Timothy, 28 June 2023) 1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. We are now in the first week of our school holiday break in Victoria. Sometimes, It is good to put a break and spend time with our loved on...