1 Timothy 2: Are You Praying For All In Authority?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

1. Authority (V1-6)
V1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit commanded Timothy, his successor, and all Christians today that we must pray for the salvation of all who are in authority as well as all men so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in this world of chaos and conflict. It is our duty and responsibility to submit to God’s appointed authority, even those who persecute our faith and belief in Christ. We may not agree with their beliefs and laws, but we must keep on praying for their salvation that they believe in Christ, the Son of God.

V4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

2. Apostle (V7-8)
V7 “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

Time and again, Paul asserted himself that he was God’s chosen apostle and mouth-piece, because many doubted him for his past beliefs and deeds which were against Christianity. He also encouraged all Christians to pray without ceasing and live a holy and godly life.

V8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

3. Adam (V9-15)
V14 “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

The serpent or the devil first deceived the woman, Eve, in taking the forbidden fruit, and she passed it to her husband, Adam, that he also ate it, and thus both sinned against God. However, let us not judge the woman, as God’s redemption plan for mankind included the woman, who was Mary, to conceive and give birth to His Son, to redeem the sins of the whole world. Indeed, all have sinned against God, and whosoever believes in Christ, and repent of his sins, shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

V15 “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to pray for the salvation of all who are in authority.

1 Timothy 1: Is God Your Saviour?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

1. Saviour (V1-11)
V2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Apostle Paul wrote this letter to encourage as well as warn Timothy, his spiritual son and successor to his ministry to stay faithful to God and His Word. In fact, Paul told Timothy that his appointment as an apostle of Jesus Christ was not an option, but it was God’s command. Paul also emphasised that God was his Saviour, and he was deeply thankful and grateful for God’s grace, mercy and peace towards him as well as all who believed and received Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Paul commanded Timothy to warn all the Christians as well as the churches to be careful of false preachers and teachers who were leading people to condemnation in fiery hell because of their false and evil teaching.

V3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

2. Sinner (V12-16)
V13 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

Paul confessed that he was the worst sinner because he blasphemed God’s name, persecuted and killed many Christians, and destroy many churches out of unbelief and ignorance. However one day when he came near Damascus, God spoke to him, and he realised that he was a sinner, and repented his sins, and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ!

V15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

3. Satan (V17-20)
V19 “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

Paul prayed for God to allow Satan to destroy the false teachers, namely, Hymenaeus and Alexander, because they not only blasphemed God’s name, but did evil against him and his fellow preachers, and led many people to fiery hell as a result of their false teachings.

V20 “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Saviour who saves me from my awful sins!

2 Thessalonians 3: Are You Faithful?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

1. Free (V1-2)
V1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”

Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians Christians to pray for him and his fellow preachers who were sharing the gospel of Christ because they faced much evil and persecution from the Roman authority and society at large. Today, the Christians are also facing much evil and persecution as the world continues in their rejection of the gospel. Let us pray that the gospel shall continue to be freely preached that Christ died for our sins, and on the third day, He rose again conquering death, and whosoever believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Prayer is power from God, and let us pray for our pastors, missionaries and all who shares the gospel!

V2 “And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”

2. Faithful (V3-5)
V3 “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

Thank God that He is such a faithful God in the world of unfaithfulness and uncertainty. Let us continue to be faithful to our spouse, family, friends, ministry and God, knowing that we are serving a faithful God who shall never waver but keep all His words and promises, especially His glorious return one day to bring us to His home in pearly heaven.

V5 “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

3. Follow (V6-18)
V6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”

Finally, Paul commanded them to avoid the troublemakers, the gossipers and those who were unfaithful to God and His church, and to follow his example of walking close to God. Indeed, Christianity is not a religion, but it is an intimate and close relationship with Jesus Christ, and all who believes in Him must truly reflect His holiness in their lives.

V7 “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be faithful to You because You are a faithful God.