Category: Spiritual

1 Timothy 6:1-2 NKJV

Paul began verse one with encouragement to bondservants, Christian slaves, to count their own masters worthy of all honor and respect so that the name of God and His doctrine will not be blasphemed or slandered. Because they were in a relationship with Christ, Christian slaveswere expected to be obedient to their earthly masters and treat them in a manner that pleased God. Yes, they were slaves, but they were Christian slaves; therefore, their character was to exemplify that they were followers of Christ. Christians are to always behave so they can bring glory to God and “give no occasion to the adversary to speak shamefully” (1 Tim. 5:14b) against them and God and His teachings.

In verse one the apostle instructed Christian slaves to be an example of godliness, letting their living reflect their behavior as followers of Christ. God is just in all His doings; He does not show respect of persons based on who they are or from where they come. In Scripture Jesus demands believers to love one another as He has loved them so everyone will know that you are His disciples. That’s the message Paul had for the Christian slaves toward their masters – believing or unbelieving.  

He continued in verse two, declaring that Christian slaves who have believing masters are not to despise them because they are brothers in Christ and should treat each other with love and kindness. Rather, they are to serve them diligently because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Paul encouraged Timothy to teach and exhort these things (v.2).

Lift up your voice and shout, “Glory!”

1 Chronicles 16:7-13

The day David brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to Jerusalem, he delivered this psalm of thanksgiving to the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren (v.7): 

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name, and proclaim to the whole world what he has done (v.8)! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; talk of all His wonderful works (v.9)! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord” (v.10). Here, David encouraged the people of God to rejoice and give glory in His holy name. Also, he urged those who worship the Lord to declare all His wonderful acts and what he has done in their lives. The ark of covenant was in Jerusalem, and this was a time for believers to celebrate God’s goodness.

David continued to urge them to pray and call on the name of the Lord, toseek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore (v.11)! We need the Lord; He is our strength, and we don’t have the power to do anything without Him. We must trust Him, and as Jesus commands: we are to first and most importantly seek His kingdom and His righteousness(Matt. 6:33a). Worship Him and “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth (v.12), O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones” (v.13)! Give thanks to the Lord and sing Him praises.

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”

Romans 8:1-5, NLT

Paul begins this chapter declaring that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus because they who are in Christ do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (v.1). They live obedient lives to allow the Holy Spirit to develop and empower their relationship with God to fulfill His purposes. “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).  

Believers have become united with Christ Jesus; they believe in Him as their personal Lord and Savior. “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed youfrom the power of sin that leads to death (v.2). Because of man’s sinful nature, the law was powerless to overcome it and could not save us. So, God sent his only begotten Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins (v.3). He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit (v.4). Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit” (v.5).

In 2025 be more grateful every day that God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Rom.5:8).

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Luke 1:18-23

Here Zacharias responded to the angel’s good news (v.13). He asked the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years” (v.18). The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings (v.19). But behold, you will be mute and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time” (v.20). 

God’s word is truth; it is always our advantage to believe and not doubt because there are consequences. Gabriel foretold that Zacharias will be unable to speak until these prophecies are fulfilled. What God promises to do, we must trust that He is well able to do just what He said. Numbers 23:19 (NLT) declares: “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” We know the answer. 

While the people waited for Zacharias outside the temple, they wondered why he lingered so long in the temple (v.21). When he came out, unable to speak, they knew he had seen a vision; he beckoned to them but did not say a thing (v.22). So, as soon as he completed his days of service in the temple, he went home (v.23). Today, trust the fulfillment of the Lord’s message of promise and grace. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!

Luke 1:14-17, NKJV

As Zacharias fulfilled his chosen lot to serve as priest, he was troubled and afraid when an angel of the Lord appeared to him. Surely his reaction is indicative of how anyone of us would react because of the presence of God. And the angel encouraged and reassured him that he did not need to be afraid because his prayer is heard; his wife Elisabeth will bear him a son, and he will call his name John (vv.8-13).

The angel continued a monologue prophesying to Zacharias about his promised son. The angel said that he will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at the birth of his son (v.14). For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (v.15). And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (v.16). He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (v.17). 

What good news the angel delivered to Zacharias! After all the years that he and Elizabeth walked righteously and obediently before God, they will be honored with a son who will give them joy and gladness, and he will be great. This reminds us that God answers prayers of the faithful who “… wait patiently for Him” (Ps.37:7a) because He is purposeful in all His ways.

Lift up your voice and shout, “Glory!”