Category: Spiritual

Ephesians 2:8-10 AMP Bible

 “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God (v.8); not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation] (v.9). For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]” (v.10).

Here Paul stressed in v.10 that believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. He has purposefully prepared good works beforehand that we should walk in them. However, these good works do not save you. It is God’s grace that has drawn you to Christ and saved you, giving you eternal life through faith. We do not deserve our salvation; it is the gracious gift of God. His purpose for our salvation is to result in the good works for which we are created. So, today Brothers and Sisters, be encouraged to purposefully live the good life which God prearranged and made ready for you. 

Let us lift our voices and shout, “Glory Hallelujah!”

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Paul previously detailed how false teaching leads those who are morally corrupt and deprived of the truth to useless wranglings, supposing that godliness is a means of profit. 

Paul denounced this false belief and declared the truth about godliness: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (v.6). It is morally wrong to use godliness as a means of financial gain. You see, that’s the danger of failing to teach the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is consistent with godliness. If you want great gain, you can have it through godliness with contentment. Trust in the Lord and do good; also, delight yourself in Him; He will give you the desires of your heart. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:2). 

Paul said that we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (v.7). He also said that having food and clothing, with these we shall be content (v.8). Many people who desire to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction, leading to personal misery (v.9 NLT). Scripture is explicit about the dangers of trusting worldly riches. Jesus said that no servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. He declares that you cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13). Remember, false teaching – “godliness is a means of gain” – leads to faithless living. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” and leads to fruitful living.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV

After Paul encouraged servants (Christian slaves) to honor and obey their unbelieving masters that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed (v.1), he told them to respect their believing masters; they are followers of Christ so serve them well (v.2). 

Then Paul addressed godliness. On a prior occasion he urged Timothy to command others that they teach no other doctrine (1 Tim.1:3). “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness (v.3), he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions (v.4), useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (v.5).

Paul said that anyone not teaching sound doctrine does not agree with the godly teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sound doctrine is spiritual healing and health; Jesus came for those that are sick. False teachers cause division in the body of Christ; they disagree with Paul’s teachings, and he said they would be dealt with. They are rebellious against truth and do not desire solid and healthful food. Paul described them as self-conceited and spiritually ignorant – not knowing doctrine which is according to godliness. They are deprived of truth and believe that godliness is a means of gain. Paul urged believers to withdraw from them. 

Today, lift your voice and give God glory!

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!”