Daily Encouragement

June 21, 2009 - Avoid Busybodies

God's word teaches us how to deal with busybodies who are not busy. They like to put their noses into everything yet they do not like to take up any responsibility. (v. 11 NIV)

Christians should not be tired of doing what is right. (v. 12) Paul showed the Thessalonians that he earned his own living. So he gave the rule that, "if a man will not work, he shall not eat." (v. 10) Probably some folks there took advantage of Christian charity and eat the meal the church provided without paying or working frequently.

Besides instructing this kind of people, the Bible gives more idea on how to deal with them. That is to keep away from them. (v. 6) Anyone who does not follow the rule of the church, we should not associate with them. (v. 14) The purpose of this is to make him feel ashamed. "Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (v. 15)

We seldom see this kind of discipline in the church today. Indeed there are lots of people who like to offer opinions and want to know everything that is happening in other people's lives in the name of knowing the prayer request. But they hardly pray for others nor do anything to help others. These are the kind of busybodies we need to deal with in many churches. Do we have the gut to follow Paul's advice?

June 22, 2009 - Sharing Your Testimony

Meditation on 1 Timothy 1

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual son who was then a pastor in Ephesus with the intention of instructing him how to do his job. The first matter Paul brought to Timothy's attention was the false teachers and how to deal with them. I am struck by the fact that in the midst of such teaching, Paul shared his personal testimony of salvation.

Here it was, Timothy had been mentored by Paul for some time. He should have been very familiar with Paul's conversion experience. Yet Paul shared with him once again how he was saved by grace. First, Paul told Timothy what kind of a person he was before he knew Christ. Secondly, Paul mentioned how the grace of God came to him. Thirdly, Paul shared about what he had received from God after he was saved. (v. 12-17)

I have learned from this passage that a Christian should never be shy of sharing his or her testimony with others. For it is a testimony of God's power to change life. It is a testimony of salvation by grace through faith. It is the most powerful way to share the love of God. Let us follow Paul's foot step in preparing to share our own personal testimony with others in any circumstance.

Have you written your personal testimony yet? Are you ready to share it?

June 23, 2009 - Prayers For All Men

Meditation on 1 Timothy 2

All Christians are urged to pray for the world and for those who are in control of the governments so that we may have a peaceful life to share our Savior's message to all people. Here is what the apostle Paul wrote, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authorities, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (v. 1-4 NASB)

When Paul wrote this, his world then was ruled by Nero, the unstable and very cruel ruler of the Roman Empire. Yet he pleaded that prayers would be offered for Nero too. Therefore we can certainly pray for government and officials whose political view points which we don't like at all. Christians should stand up for our belief and preach the gospel like Peter and John did in Acts. But we should not engage in activities that are subversive to our own government. Romans 13:1-5 and 1 Peter 2:17 clearly teach that. Titus 3:1-2 also reminds us that Christians should be subject to authorities and to be uncontentious.

May we pray that the unbelievers, no matter who they are, will all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by inviting Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of their lives through prayer.

June 24, 2009 - Managing Your Home Well

Meditation on 1 Timothy 3

God's word teaches us how to run the household of God that is the church in the book of Timothy. Here in chapter three, it has to do with the qualification of leaders in the church. Whether it is an elder or deacon, he should be a good manager of his own household. This word, household was mentioned four times in this short passage. The Bible asks, "But if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?" (v. 5 NASB)

That includes a church leader should keep his children under control with all dignity. (v. 4) Today, it seems that some people are put in charge of certain ministry in some churches just because they volunteer for it. In a sense they have become leaders in the church. If their own family is in a mess, or their children are obviously in deep trouble running away from the Lord, what kind of testimony will it convey to the world? Jesus does forgive people's sins and give them a chance to recover. But it does not mean a family that is still in turmoil as far as relationship is concerned is ready to lead others in the church.

Therefore straighten out your family first. Take courage to discipline your children so they are guided into the right path. Don't be permissive like the culture that is around you. Then you are ready to be a leader in the church.

June 25, 2009 - Leadership In The Church

Meditation on 1 Timothy 4

The instruction for Timothy should apply to all leaders in the church as well. They must be examples for all believers. Only then would the church will grow spiritually. The word of God gives specific instruction in verse 12: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (NASB)

Those who want to be leaders in the church ought to set good examples in these five areas: conversation, righteous behavior, God's kind of love, faithful trust in God, and clean mind and heart. These should be the standard for any office in the church.

Timothy was around thirty-five years old when he received this letter from Paul. Yet he was considered a young person because people who were under forty were still labeled as youthful. So today if you are not quite forty yet, you should thank God that you are still young. And you should take up the leadership responsibility in your church by setting those good examples in your life.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)

June 26, 2009 - Whatever You Do Will Be Known

Meditation on 1 Timothy 5

The Apostle Paul instructs his spiritual son, Timothy how to manage a church. Now in this passage, Paul went into details several areas of the ministry: How to make corrections among the elderly as well as the young, how to take care of the widows especially the older ones who need financial assistance, how to support, protect and ordain the pastors, how to take care of personal health and etc.

Lastly Paul says this, "The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed." (v. 24-25 NASB) This shows us that we cannot hide our actions from others. Whether it is sinful or good deed, others will know. Sometimes we may be tired of doing good because we see that no one seems to appreciate what we have done for so long. Be not dismayed. Even no one say anything about it, brothers and sisters do notice it. You will receive your reward in due season. (Galatians 6:9-10)

Therefore you need to keep on doing good for the Lord.

June 27, 2009 - Christian View Of Riches

Meditation on 1 Timothy 6

How do you view riches? First of all, the Bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. (v. 10) When our goal in life is simply wanting to get rich, we would fall into temptation that snares us into ruin, destruction and grieves.

On the other hand, we should enjoy legitimate and earned riches which are provided by God as long as we realize that our hope is in Him and not in riches. (v. 17) Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 tells us to enjoy what God has given.

Also those who have riches should be generous and ready to share. They should be rich in good works. (v. 18) By this they will lay hold of eternal life and store treasures in heaven. (v. 19 cf. Matthew 6:19-20)

May we look unto God who supplies all our needs and be content with what we have. (v. 6)