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?
Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO
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?
1 TIMOTHY 2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEN & WOMEN DURING ASSEMBLY
August 1
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1 TIMOTHY 2
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. – 1 Timothy 2:8-15
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1 TIMOTHY 2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEN & WOMEN DURING ASSEMBLY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Since God isn’t a God of chaos, we are all instructed to have order in worship
Men are to pray fervently without distractions, resentments, quarreling or anger
They are to lift their hands including their minds and hearts to their Lord and Master
They are to take seriously their positions of authority over their families
They are to lead their families in proper decorum during assembly
Men are responsible to lead their family members to truth of the gospel.
Women must wear respectable clothing as they come to worship the Lord
The ladies must dress modestly and must not look like those from the world
They are to submit to the leadership of their husbands and not be overbearing
The women must not engage in much talking for it can lead to gossiping
She is to be silent and listen to the gospel that is being presented
She must also support her husband in all that he leads her to do.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God gave men and women instructions to follow during public worship?
• Why do you think there are more instructions for women than for men in this letter of Paul to Timothy?
• How should we address someone who do not follow these guidelines?
1 TIMOTHY 2 HOW TO LEAD A PEACEFUL, GODLY AND QUIET LIFE
July 31
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1 TIMOTHY 2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
– 1 Timothy 2:1-7
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1 TIMOTHY 2 HOW TO LEAD A PEACEFUL, GODLY AND QUIET LIFE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
At the time you committed your life to Christ, he gave you his Spirit
Because of the Holy Spirit’s presence, you are able to follow Jesus
When he chose you to be one of his children, he gave you abilities
With gifts given to you by his Spirit, you have responsibilities
To lead a peaceful life, we need to pray at all times fervently
It is our duty to pray for others especially those who are in authority
Pursue peace and follow those in positions of authority
Pray for them to serve God who gave them such positions
Pray that you will seek the Lord and serve him with trembling
Live the word of God so you’ll stay holy and have blessings
Ask everything in prayer and in line with the truth
You will have a peaceful and quiet life if you do.
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REFLECTION
• Why are we called to pray for all people according to these verses?
• What is the importance of praying for leaders and rulers?
• How is peace a product of prayer?