The purpose of Paul’s first letter to Timothy is to give encouragement as well as instructions to Timothy, a young pastor; whilst that of Philemon is to convince him to forgive his runaway slave Onesimus, and to accept him as a brother in the faith.
On Monday, we learn from 1 Tim 1 that God Is Patient towards Us. On Tuesday, we learn from 1Tim 2 that God desires Peace & Unity. On Wed, we learn from 1Timothy 4 that God desires us to be Godly. On Thu, we learn from 2Timothy 5 that God desires Respectfulness. On Friday, we learn fr 1Timothy 6 that God desires Eternal Mindset. On Sat, we learn fr Philemon that God desires Graciousness in family.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Thanks as You God Is Patient towards us. For You desire us to be Godly, Gracious as well as Respectful. For You desire there be Peace and that we have Eternal Mindset. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
On the run after committing wrong against his master; Onesimus the slave sought refuge in Rome. There he meets Paul and converts to faith in Christ. Though he shows his gratitude by serving Paul, he still must reconcile with his master. Paul writes to Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and to accept him as a brother in Christ.
Lord, we’ll be Gracious & Forgiving: I pray you may be active in Sharing Your Faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ (Philem5-6) Consider this as a Request from me – Paul an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ. I Appeal to you to show kindness to my child Onesimus (Ph 9-10). He is more than a slave, for he is now a brother in the Lord. Welcome him as you would welcome me (Philem 16-17).
Lord, help me to get over any inhibitions about sharing my faith. For there is no greater gift than to share someone Your love & the good news of salvation in Christ. Help me Lord to be sensitive to Your leading so that I don’t come off as insensitive to others. Help me have good sense of timing and the right words to say. Amen.
Lord, help me to show respect and be gracious to people; rather than throwing weight around, telling them straight what they should do. Help me Lord to show kindness and to give people opportunities to put things right for themselves. And not to quickly take matters into my own hands. Amen.
Lord, help me not to be engross with my rights; but rather pay attention to the main principle for Christians, the law of love. Help me to be forgiving & always look to reconciling & welcoming. Help me do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Amen.
God Desires Eternal Mindset; Inspiring “Fight the Good Fight”
Too many of us spiritually flabby, we often avoid spiritual conflict instead of facing it. That was not the apostle Paul’s style, nor was it John Monell’s (1811-1875). Morsell was a gifted Anglican clergyman who could hold his congregation spell-bound as he spoke and who advocated “more fervent and joyous singing In his church. He once said: We sing but not as we should, to Him who is the chief among ten thousand, the altogether lovely. The hymn “Fight the Good Fight” was largely inspired by Eph 4 as well as 1 Timothy 6:11-12.
Lord, we’ll Fight the Good Fight: Godliness with Contentment is great gain…We can take nothing out of (this world). If we have food, we’ll be content (1 Tim 6:6-8). Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the Good Fight of Faith… I urge you…keep this commandment until our Lord’s appearing (v11-14). Command those who are rich… to do good… to be generous and willing to share. By doing this they will be storing up treasure for the future so that they may experience true life (v17-19).
Lord, You want Contentment to be the virtue and goal for Your people. Forgive me Lord for the times when I get discontented with life. Teach me to focus on all I have, rather than on the things that I seem to lack when comparing with others. Teach me Lord to make connected relationship with You and others be priority over material things. Amen.
Lord, Thank You for Your promise of eternal life in Your presence. I realise that the road ahead may not be easy; but I purpose to be steadfast & stay the course. Help me not grow weary in battles; but pursue love and righteousness as well as to Fight the good fight. And grant me faithfulness and perseverance. In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, thank You for all You have given including material provision. Keep me from being covetous, greedy or being selfish minded. Help me Lord find balance in the stewardship of the resources that You have put in my care. Show me practical ways to use the resources to do good, bless others and further Your kingdom. Amen.
Fight the good fight with all thy might! Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right. Lay hold on life and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally… Run the straight race through God’s good grace; Lift up thine eyes & seek His face. Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path & Christ the prize.. Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe and Thou shall see That Christ is all in all to Thee.
Timothy ministered alongside Paul as missionary & later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual for building the church leadership. It also contains many principles to impact the lives of others.
Lord, we’ll Treat Pple with Respect: Rebute not an elder but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters… Learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good… before God (1 Tim 5:1-4). These things command: that they may be blameless… If anyone does not provide for his own and especially for… his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (v7-8). Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word & doctrine… God and the Lord Jesus Christ… back me up in these instructions. Carry them out without favoritism, without taking sides (v17-21).
Lord, I purpose not to rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were my father. And I also purpose to treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with purity. For I want to treat individuals in church with respect and love; in line with Your direction. Amen.
Lord, help us fulfill our roles and responsibility to care for our families including providing for their needs. Grant us Your provision in our lives; and we purpose to work diligently. Help us Lord be good stewards of the resources You have given us, using them wisely and generously. Be merciful to those struggling to provide for their families. Open doors of livelihood & provide them t means to meet needs. Amen
Lord, help us live with integrity, treating others with love & respect. Help us be impartial; and following Your example of truth and justice. Help those in leadership to make good decisions that are in line with Your will and for the benefit of all. Give them wisdom and discernment as they fulfil their responsibilities. And may all our lives be a reflection of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Timothy ministered alongside Paul as missionary & later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual for building the church leadership. It also contains many principles to impact the lives of others.
Lord, help us Be Godly Example: Everything God created is Good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God & prayer (ITim 4:4-5). Train yourself to Be Godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness for all things (v7-8). Be An Example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, faith and purity… Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them (1Tim 4:12-16).
Lord, Thank You for the wonderful pleasures You have created for us. Thank You Lord for Your beautiful creation; for wind, rain & sunshine. Thank You for the joy of friendship as well as the intimacy of marriage. Thank You Lord for the enjoyment of good, tasty and nourishing food. Above all these joys, Thank You for Your gift of salvation. Amen.
Lord, You want us to Be Godly, though the world sees and thinks the external image is everything. Forgive me for the times I’m overly concerned with external things. Grant me discipline to expend more time and energy to care for the soul. Grant me grace so that You will be pleased with my thots & intentions as well as words & actions. Amen.
Lord, enable me to Be Example of Your love, faith and purity. Thankful that Your opinion of me is more important than any other. Help me Lord not to shy away from using the gifts that You’ve given me. Bless Lord the work You are doing through me that they be effective; for I depend on You; for You raise me up to more than I can be. Amen.
Timothy ministered alongside Paul as missionary & later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual for building church leadership. It also contains many principles to impact the lives of others.
Lord, we’ll Pray For People In Need: I exhort First of all that… prayers, Intercessions and giving of thanks be made of ALL men. (1Tim 2:1). (Pray for those) in authority so that we can live peaceful & quiet lives… This pleases God, who wants everyone to be saved (v2-4). I desire therefore that… men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting… In like manner… proper for women profess godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission (v8-11).
Merciful God, we bring before You, the safety of peoples caught in war, the needs of helpless refugees, the hopelessness of the starving, the frustrations of prisoners, the helplessness of the weak, the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. Draw near God to each of them for the sake of Christ our Lord, Amen.
Lord, it’s Your desire for all people to be saved; and it is Your will that believers could enjoy peace thus enabling them to share the gospel. Have mercy Lord on Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon & Syria; and bring about a quick end to the conflict. Cause us Lord remember to pray for civil authorities so that they govern well and there be peace. And may we use the opportunity to share Christ to the lost. Amen.
Lord, we realise that sometimes Christians quarrel among ourselves. We get caught up in unimportant debates and useless arguments. Help us be so devoted to You that we maintain oneness of the Spirit, even if we differ on certain things. Help us Lord be peaceable; and be unified in Yr Word & in our prayers. For everytime we pray, we move the hand of God & nations turn to You. Amen.
Timothy ministered alongside with Paul as a missionary and later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul’s first letter resembles a manual for building church leadership. More generally, it’s rich in principles for anyone who wishes to impact the lives of others.
Lord, You are Patient towards Us: This is a faithful saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (and) display His Immense Patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life (1Tim 1:15-16). Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is Wise, be honour and glory forever (v17). (May) the prophetic words spoken earlier…help you fight well in the Lord’s battles; having Faith and a good conscience (v18-19).
Lord, Thanks for showing mercy & not treating me as my sins deserve. Just as You Lord have displayed Immense Patient as an example, help me Be Patient towards others. Help me Lord use my testimony to encourage others to seek Your mercy and Your grace. For what You have done in my life, You will also do for others. Amen.
Lord, You alone is wise and worthy of all glory; thank You for all that You have done for us; and out of gratitude we purpose to serve You. But we realise that right beliefs and right behaviour are critical. Help us be wholly committed to You, help us Be Patient as You are; and help us Hold On in Faith to Your Word for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, when distractions and obstacles arise, it will be difficult to stay on course following You. And when the going gets tough, help me Hold on to Your Word and Your prophetic word for my life. Help me faithfully fight well in the Lord’s battle with Your strength. Help me to keep focused & pursue the calling You’ve given me. Amen
God Sanctifies Us Completely; Inspiring “Take Time to Be Holy”
British William Longstaff heard a sermon on the text: Be ye holy, for I am holy, and wrote down what holiness meant to him, inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5. A businessman at heart, William wrote no pious sounding verses but down-to-earth thoughts, which appeared in Christian newspaper in 1882.
Years later gospel composer George Stebbins remembered the poem when he was asked if there’s a good hymn on living a holy life. Retrieving the newspaper clipping he saved, he set the poem to music; and ‘Take Time to be Holy’ was born.
Lord, we’ll seek to Do Your Will: Therefore confort each other and edify one another… Be at Peace among yourselves… Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all… Pursue what is good both for Your health yourselves & for all (1Ths 5:11-15) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God (v16-18). Now may the God of Peace Himself Sanctify You completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. He who calls you Is Faithful, who also Will Do it (v23-24) Amen
Lord, in this season of uncertainties, many are searching for direction. The Holy Spirit knows all needs, know all things and inspires us to build each other up with words of comfort and words of edification. O Spirit, use our imagination to write Your will, impress Your thoughts and speak into the hearts of Your people through us. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, prompt us to rejoice always, pray & give thanks without ceasing. Lord God of peace, do Your holy work of Sanctification within us for we want to honour You with our lives and to resist sin each day. Preserve us Lord to be blameless. Give us a deep love for You and the zeal for Your glory that will surpass any impure passion. Amen.
Lord, I believe the convictions and longings in my heart are placed there by You & I raise them to You. Use them Lord to accomplish Your purposes; and I believe that You will get me where I need to go. I am prepared and available to work out the calling You have for me. For I know Lord that You are faithful and that You will surely do it. Amen.
Take time to Be Holy, Speak off with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word. Make friends of God’s children; Help those who are weak; Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek… Take time to Be Holy, Let Him be thy guide, And run not before Him Whatever betide; In joy or in sorrow Still follow the Lord, And looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word. Amen.
The purpose of 1st Thessalonians is to strengthen the Christians in their faith and give them the assurance of Christ’s return; whilst that for the 2nd epistle is to clear up the confusion about the second coming of Christ. Apostle Paul exhorts them to return to work and to take advantage of the time they have to do good.
On Monday, we learn from 1 Ths 1 that God Honours Work of Faith. On Tuesday, we learn from 1Ths 2 that God Helps Us to Walk Worthily. On Wednesday, we learn fr 1Ths 5 that God Sanctifies Completely. On Thursday, we learn from 2Ths 1 that God Empowers Your Calling. On Friday, we learn from 2Ths 2 that God Establishes Good Work. On Saturday, we learn from 2Ths 3 that God Will Protect His Servants.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as God Honours Work of Faith and Sanctifies Us Completely. For You are worthy of our Thanks as God Empowers Our Calling as well as Protects His Servants. For You Help Us to Walk Worthily as well as Establish Good Work. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
In his 2nd letter to Thessalonians, Paul commends their faithfulness in persecution and encourages them that present suffering will be repaid with future glory. Paul clarifies the Day of the Lord had not yet arrived & recounts the events which must take place first. For labouring for the Gospel, rather than lazy resignation, can be the only proper response to such truth.
Lord, we’ll Share the Good News: Finally brothers pray for us that the message of the Lord may Spread rapidly and be honoured… Pray that we may be Delivered from evil pple, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will Strengthen you and Protect you from the evil one (2Thess 3:1-3). And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing & will continue to do the things which we charge you. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ (v4-5). We… exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness… As for you brethren, do not grow weary in doing good (v12-13).
Lord, show us Your servants that we need to be faithful to support in Prayer as they spread Your truth. Strengthen the hearts of those who preach the gospel and equip them in every way to do Your will. Above all may Your Spirit do Your mighty work in hearts of people so that Your name be glorified. Amen.
Father God, may Your Love and the perseverance of Christ constraint us to continually share the good news of salvation to the lost. Equip us Lord with the right words at the right time, so that those hearts are ready to be drawn to You. We also pray for people who need the good news, that their hearts would Be Open to receive all that You have for them. Amen.
Lord, help us not to be lazy in the things of God and helping others. Help us when we are overwhelmed by evil beyond the realm of reason. Help us turn to You immediately for Your Protection and Strength. For ultimately You will triumph and Your name will be glorified. Help us not be weary of doing good but live in such a way that our faith and lives will please You. Amen.
