August 11
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1 TIMOTHY 6
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. 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. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world – 1 Timothy 6:1-6
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1 TIMOTHY 6 GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Love the Lord your God with fear and trembling that your days may be long
Serve those who have authority over you as you would serve the Lord
Do not worry or be anxious about anything, but pray about these things
Seek the word of God so that you may not fall into temptation and sin.
Live in godliness and commit to memory the truth that comes from the word
This is how you can discern what comes from the world and from God
Love the law of the Lord and obey it always that you will stay righteous
Give thanks to all that you are given and receive it with much gratitude.
Stay away from those who are puffed up with conceit and deceived
Grow your faith that you may discern wrong doctrines and teachings
Always trust the Lord and never give in to your desires and lust
Be content and count your blessings instead of focusing on your lack.
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to be truly content and why is it a necessary partner of godliness?
• What happens when we are discontented?
Monthly Archives: August 2023
1 TIMOTHY 5 HOW TO TREAT THE ELDERS
August 10
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1 TIMOTHY 5
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. – 1 Timothy 5:17-25
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1 TIMOTHY 5 HOW TO TREAT THE ELDERS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord appointed the office of the Elders and he chose them
Just like any person who works for an office, he too deserves a wage
Since he labors to preach and teach the word of God
He also deserves to be renumerated for his works
Just as hard as a person works to earn a living
These Elders also spend time studying and teaching
Treat the Elders with honor for they work for the Lord
Do not judge them based on a hearsay from one man
Let there be two or three witnesses when you charge an Elder
There is a process that should take place when sins are addressed
Because they are required to be righteous doesn’t mean they are sinless
Dealing with sins done by leadership must be publicly done
By doing this, we hold them accountable to stay uncorrupted.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think verse 20 says that the Elders who sins must be rebuked publicly? What happens if they are kept in secrecy?
1 TIMOTHY 5 ON CHURCH’S SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS
August 8
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1 TIMOTHY 5
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:1-8
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1 TIMOTHY 5 SELF-INDULGENCE LEADS TO DEATH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we follow his path
God is love and all who know him know how to love
To live a life of peace, let’s follow the order that God has made
Let us honor those who have authority over us.
Do not reprimand someone older than you
But encourage them for that’s honoring to God
Do not only be concerned with your own interests only
But be genuinely interested in other’s lives and concerns.
Look out to bless others especially orphans and widows
When you do, you alleviate their isolation and adversities
Provide help and relief especially for your family members
If you don’t, you are even worse than unbelievers.
When you are serving your own interest, your god is yourself
The natural self doesn’t bow down to God, it adores only the self
If you indulge in pleasuring your own lusts and desires
It will lead to your death and you’ll forfeit your eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• How can self-indulgence lead to death?
1 TIMOTHY 4 HONE YOUR GIFTS & PERSIST IN YOUR PROGRESS
August 7
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1 TIMOTHY 4
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1 Timothy 4:11-16
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1 TIMOTHY 4 HONE YOUR GIFTS & PERSIST IN YOUR PROGRESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord Jesus commands us to godly living and to growing our faith
Until he comes again, he wants us to stay pure and follow the straight path
We are urged to be vigilant to live out the teachings we have been taught
Doctrines without actions will be of no use; they won’t make us grow.
Do not allow your youth to hinder your pursuit to holiness
Let us devote ourselves in urging one another towards righteousness
Hone the gifts you have received when the Holy Spirit dwelled in you
Do not bury them so that others will be build up and fruits will show.
Examine yourself regularly so that you can guard your heart
When you neglect such awareness, you’ll open doors for the bad
Practice following the laws even if they are hard to do at times
You will make progress if you press on despite sufferings and trials.
Let your lives be a model for others to be inspired to grow
Seek the word of the Lord and the knowledge of God
Never allow compliance or neglect to come into your life
Pray always so that you can discern evil and live in the light.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to hone the gifts that we received from the Holy Spirit?
• What happens if we bury such gifts?
• Why is it essential to persist in your progress and show it to others believers?
1 TIMOTHY 4 TRAIN YOURSELF FOR GODLINESS
August 6
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1 TIMOTHY 4
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. – 1 Timothy 4:6-9
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1 TIMOTHY 4 TRAIN YOURSELF FOR GODLINESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
To be a good servant of the Lord Jesus, let us train in the truth
Meditate on his words day and night that it will harvest fruits
Because we are in this corrupt and fallen world, let’s equip ourselves
Let us be ready for the battlefield wearing God’s armour.
Do not engage with human philosophies and traditions
These worldly beliefs do not conform with God’s kingdom
Do not waste your time with false doctrines and myths
Instead, equip yourselves with the knowledge of God.
While physical training is good, godliness is much more vital
What good is it if you have good bodies but souls that are lost?
Bodily training is only good while you are on earth
Spiritual workout is better for it lasts long and is forever.
Train yourself for godliness as a soldier ready himself for war
If you take your faith seriously, you will seek first his word
The law of the Lord is true and is your spirit’s sword
The truth that comes from God’s word is your best weapon.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some Christians do not train for godliness?
• How is suffering and endurance a good training ground for godliness?
1 TIMOTHY 4 WHEN SOMEONE DEPART FROM THEIR FAITH
August 5
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1 TIMOTHY 4
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. – 1 Timothy 4
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1 TIMOTHY 4 WHEN SOMEONE DEPART FROM THEIR FAITH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
At the last days there will be people who will depart from their faith
They will have deceitful spirits for they have neglected God’s word
Instead, they dwell on worldly things and teachings of demons
Thus, they open up the door for the enemy to overcome them
When someone depart from the truth they already heard
They will reject the truth and believe in false doctrines and myths
Because they rely on their own understanding, they’ll be deceived
They will make up their self-made philosophies because they don’t believe.
Let all the people of God grow in the knowledge of God and his truth
The only way we can be protected is to allow Scriptures to take root
We’ll have a strong foundation of faith only if we seek God first
There is no assurance in self-made principles, it will eventually die
When someone who have heard the gospel choose to reject it
They are also rejecting Christ and they will reap their own lies
Let us give thanks to the Lord who gave us everything
Lean on him alone and don’t believe in false teachings.
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REFLECTION
• What awaits Christians when they lead back in faith their sisters and brothers in Christ who begin to believe in myths and false teachings and wanders from the truth according to James 5:19?
• What is our responsibility to the communion of saints in terms of our faith?
1 TIMOTHY 3 THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD
August 3
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1 TIMOTHY 3
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 3:8-13
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1 TIMOTHY 3 REQUIREMENTS & PROMISE FOR DEACON
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
If a man aspires to be a deacon in the church, he needs to be dignified
He cannot be someone who is of bad morals or dishonest
A deacon is expected to have integrity and be blameless
It is important that he is responsible and genuinely love others.
Since the deacon’s role is to distribute to the needs of the poor
He must be honest and have a sober-mind and be faithful
Their devotion to one wife is important as it shows his dedication
He must be able to discipline and manage his household and children.
Deacons must have self-control and not be addicted to anything
Addictions and bondage can hinder their task for helping and distributing
Their wives must also have the same blamelessness and faithfulness
Their wives must also serve the Lord or their house will be divided.
To all the deacons who serve well, they will gain a good standing
The assurance and confidence of their faith will keep on shining
If they do their tasks as they are serving the Lord Jesus Christ
They will grow in their faith and will gain eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• How did the roles of deacons come about as stated in Acts 6:1-7?
• Why is the role of deacons an essential part in the communion of saints?
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1 TIMOTHY 3 AN OVERSEER’S REQUIREMENTS
August 2
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1 TIMOTHY 3
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
– 1 Timothy 3:1-7
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1 TIMOTHY 3 AN OVERSEER’S REQUIREMENTS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When one aspires for the office of the overseer
He must have been led by the Holy Spirit
It is not an earthly position that you can apply for
It is God’s anointing that makes you a candidate.
An overseer’s position is one that is of great privilege
It is an honor to be selected to be one of God’s leaders
He must be self-controlled, respectable and blameless
He cannot be a drunkard, violent or a lover of money.
He must not be a new believer or he may not be well-grounded
Others must think highly of him so he can be one who can be emulated
He must be a one-woman man and be kind and loving to his wife
He must be hospitable and able to teach so he can exude God’s light.
He must be able to manage his household well so order is maintained
If he is a good manager at home, it will be so also in the communion of saints
He must be able to discipline his children and teach them to love the word
The preaching and teaching of the gospel must be his motive first and foremost.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think new converts cannot be an overseer according to these verses?