1 Timothy 5: Are You Supporting Your Preachers?
Verse of the Day: (V17) “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1. Widow (V1-16)
V4 “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”
God cares for His people, especially the widows, who lost their husbands who were sole breadwinners of the family. Apostle Paul advised his successor, Timothy, that they would only help the widows who were above 60 years of age and who truly had no one to take care of them. The younger widows could actually find work and support themselves and their own families, or they might marry and their husbands would then take care of them and their families. Indeed, let us be wise, and only help those who truly need it, as there will always be some who will abuse and take advantage of our kindness and generosity.
V9 “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,”
2. Word (V17-23)
V18 “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
God cares for His preachers who fully give their lives to preach His Word. God through Paul commanded Timothy and all Christians to financially support their full-time preachers, just like the ox deserve to eat the harvests of corns which they had been ploughing on the cornfields. God also warn the Christians never to falsely accuse the preachers of any wrongdoings unless there are truthful witnesses and concrete evidences.
V19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”
3. Works (V24-25)
V24 “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”
God cares for His plan and purpose, and He shall only bless and keep His people and preachers when we trust and obey Him, otherwise all our works and labour is in vain. At the end of the day, when we face our God, He shall have only be 2 responses – “Come to Me, you have done great and good works!” or “Depart from Me, I never know you!”
V25 “Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to support my preachers both in prayer and finance.
1 Timothy 4: How Is Your Conscience?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
1. Conscience (V1-11)
V1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
God through Apostle Paul warned Timothy, his successor, as well as Christians today, to be sober and vigilant because there were many false religions, cults and teachers who were led by the devil and his demons, and without any conscience led many to fiery hell with their false beliefs and teachings. The devil knows that ultimately he shall be condemned and cast into fiery hell, and this is why he shall not hesitate to lead as many as possible to fiery hell with him. Let us therefore pray that God shall grant us a good and clear conscience by preaching the gospel of Christ, that all may come to know Christ, and shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven.
V6 “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
2. Charity (V12-13)
V12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Paul reminded Timothy to be an example of love and faith so that no one would despise his youth and inexperience. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to study and preach God’s Word so that all might come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Indeed, there is no short cut to Christian growth and maturity because it is all about “hard” work and “heart” work, and in deepening and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
V13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
3. Continue (V14-16)
V14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
Paul encouraged Timothy to continue in God’s Word even though many times he felt like quitting, because God’s grace was sufficient for him. Indeed, no matter what comes our way, even death, let us continue in God’s Word, as our labour is never in vain in the Lord.
V16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have a good and clear conscience before You.
1 Timothy 3: Are You Blameless And Bold In The Faith?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
1. Blameless (V1-12)
V8 “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit gave Timothy, his successor, the qualifications of church leaders, namely the bishop or pastor as well as the deacons. The pastor must be blameless, vigilant, sober, hospitable, of good testimony, have the gifts of preaching and teaching, and the husband of one wife, because he is the head of the church. Likewise the deacons must also be blameless and godly as they assist the pastor in the church ministry.
V10 “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”
2. Boldness (V13-14)
V13 “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Another vital qualification of the leaders is great boldness in the faith. Since they are God’s leaders, they must have great boldness in the faith, not only in doing God’s works, but in sacrificing their lives for the gospel’s sake. Everything rises and falls on leadership. This was why Paul was in urgent need to meet Timothy to reiterate the importance of leadership so that the church could continue to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
V14 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:”
3. Believe (V15-16)
V15 “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Paul reminded the church that they represent the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. The truth is none other than Christ, who came in the flesh, seen of angels, died on the cruel cross, shed His blood for the sins of the world, and rose again the third day, and whosoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life with Him in heaven!
V16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be blameless and have great boldness in the faith.
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.
2 Thessalonians 2: Will You Stand Fast In The Lord?
Verse of the Day: (V15) “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
1. Satan (V1-10)
V1 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,”
Apostle Paul pleaded with the Thessalonians Christians to stand fast in the Lord, and endure the intense suffering and persecution from the Roman authority, as well as Satan’s and his demons’ lies and deceits, and patiently wait for the Lord’s imminent and glorious return when He shall gather all His saints to be with them forever! Today, we are still waiting for the Lord’s return, and let us continue to stand fast, and serve Him to the end.
V9 “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”
2. Salvation (V11-14)
V13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
In spite of Satan’s lies and deceits, the Almighty God is able to save and sanctify many people from fiery hell to glorious heaven by His everlasting love and amazing grace, if only we truly believe and receive Jesus Christ, His Son, as our personal Saviour and Lord.
V14 “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Stand (V15-17)
V15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Today, Satan is going all out to deceive and lead man to fiery hell because he knows that his time is running out. However, let us take comfort that our God shall ultimately cast Satan into fiery hell because of his sins and pride. This was why Paul encouraged the Christians to stand fast and cleave to God and His Word, because we already have great victory through His death, resurrection and return. Indeed, let us stand fast in the Lord as He is our everlasting love, grace and consolation, and greatest hope now and forever!
V16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to stand fast in You, and wait patiently for Your return.
2 Thessalonians 1: Are You In God’s Presence?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
1. Patience (V1-6)
V3 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”
Apostle Paul shared with all the churches of God of the abounding patience, endurance, faith and love of the Thessalonians Christians in spite of being persecuted by the Romans authority. He was very thankful for their great faith and their love for one another. Indeed, let us be patient in our suffering for Christ’s sake, and be loving towards one another that Christ shall be magnified and glorified in us through our glowing and godly testimony.
V4 “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”
2. Presence (V7-10)
V8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Though the righteous seems to suffer and the wicked seems to enjoy life, yet one day God shall come as a Judge to all men. God shall punish the wicked with flaming fire and cast them out of His presence and into fiery hell, however, He shall bless and reward the righteous with crowns and draw them to His presence in His home in glorious heaven.
V9 “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
3. Pleasure (V11-12)
V11 “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”
Paul always prayed for them that their faith and love be worthy of God’s calling and be a great pleasure of His goodness in spite of much persecution and suffering. Indeed, it is not easy to live a victorious Christian life in the midst of persecution and suffering, but let us remember that God shall richly bless and reward us in due time and for His glory.
V12 “That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be in Your presence, and be patient in life.
1 Thessalonians 5: Are You Patient With All Men?
Verse of the Day: (V14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
1. Be Sober (V1-11)
V6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians Christians as well as Christians today to watch and be sober and be ready to meet God who shall come anytime to bring us to His glorious home in heaven. Until then, let us put on the whole armour of God, especially the breastplate of faith and love to protect our heart, as it is the vital organ of our body, without which we shall die. Next, we must put on the helmet of salvation to protect our head, another vital organ, without which we shall never function effectively, as the head controls our thinking and movement, and it is the hope of our salvation in Christ Jesus.
V8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
2. Be At Peace (V12-13)
V12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”
Respect and honour your pastors and leaders even though they may not be perfect as God has appointed them over you. Let us fervently pray for our leaders that they will humble themselves and keep improving on their effectiveness as God’s leaders. Above all, let us be at peace with one another as unity in Christ is our greatest strength and testimony!
V13 “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
3. Be Patient (V14-28)
V14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
The world says, Render evil for evil, but God says, Render good for evil as two wrongs do not make a right. We may seem to be at the losing end when we render good for evil, but God knows the heart of man, and He shall vindicate all who truly love and trust Him. Therefore, let us warn those who deeply hurt or harm us, and avoid them, but at the same time, be patient and forgiving towards them, and commit everything to God in prayer!
V15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be sober, and be at peace and be patient with all men.
1 Thessalonians 4: Are You Walking Honestly Before God?
Verse of the Day: (V12) “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
1. Honour (V1-5)
V1 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
Apostle Paul pleaded with the Thessalonians Christians to flee from immorality and vices that had not only caused God’s displeasure, but had ruined their reputation, and worse, they had become stumbling blocks to the world! God’s richest blessings shall be upon us only when we honour our bodies and are examples of honour and holiness to the world.
V4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
2. Holiness (V6-9)
V7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Holiness is the trademark of God, and this is why the Spirit of God is also known as the Holy Spirit. For the Christian to be holy, he must strive to have the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Indeed, the holy God has called us unto holiness and to be His representatives of holiness!
V8 “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
3. Honesty (V10-18)
V12 “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
Paul encouraged the believers to walk honestly before God so that the world could see God in all honour and holiness. The world’s motto is - We can do anything as long as we are not caught! However the world fails to realise that even though the law of the land may not catch and prosecute them, yet God is watching over them. One day the holy God shall judge the world, and only those who truly believe in Christ shall have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Those who reject Christ shall be condemned forever in fiery hell. Let us therefore as God’s saints walk in all honour, holiness and honesty before the Lord.
V17 “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to walk in all honour, holiness and honesty before You.
