Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Timothy 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟙:𝟙𝟚

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

What assurance Paul has had in Jesus Christ. And we all can say like him with full of joy in our hearts because assurance is the birthright of every Christian. There's even a hymn taken out from this verse! “I know whom I have believed.”

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟚:𝟚𝟘-𝟚𝟙

"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work."

We love to be great. We love to be great even in the kingdom of God. We love to be greatly used by God.

Those desires aren't evil, they are great! And these 2 verses reveal to us how we can be greatly used by God: To sanctify our body daily.

God hates sin. Sin disturbs our communion with God. Sin and God cannot work together. To be used greatly by God is to depart from sin. To be great is to be holy.

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 3:𝟙𝟚

"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

If I am living comfortably in this world; if I am at peace with this world, my surrounding; if the world and people around me are okay with my lifestyle, then most probably I am not godly at all!

Following Christ is through the narrow gate. Not only the gate is narrow, but the way is narrow too. And only a few find it.

Can't live like the world. Can't mingle with the world!

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them."

Christ was forgiving. Stephen was forgiving. Paul was forgiving.

They all prayed for those who had wronged them.

That's moving one step farther than forgiveness!

Job also prayed for his bitter friends to be forgiven!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Timothy 1-6

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟙:𝟙𝟠-𝟙𝟡

"This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some, having rejected, suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith."

The Christian life is a battle, it's a war because Satan is roaming around like a roaring lion to devour. It's imperative that we live a life of alertness. We must fight every temptation, battle every sinful inclination. That's a spiritual discipline. Fighting the good fight that we may not fall!

We are to be excellent in whatever is good. We can't be complacent people!

 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟚:𝟛-𝟞

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness for this proper time."

God wants all to be saved. And He gave Jesus, who is the means of Salvation. Do we want all to be saved? It's to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

What are the reasons and challenges for my hesitation to share the news of Salvation with people? Let's reflect upon this question!

 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟛:𝟙𝟜-𝟙𝟝

"I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."

The church is a sacred place, a sacred community, a sacred atmosphere, a sacred service, a sacred gathering, a sacred attendance, a sacred meeting; let's not take it lightly. Therefore, leadership must be of the highest standard.

Let's pray for the sanctity of the church, that we will sanctify our hearts in matters of church, and that our leaders will be approved and pleasing to God in carrying out their duties! 🙏

 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

One of my favorite verses for more than 2 decades of my life.

“ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀɴ ᴇxᴀᴍᴘʟᴇ”

By God's Grace, many have said that I have been an example for their kids, for my friends, for my juniors, for even my fellow leaders. Praise be to God.

However, this verse is real to me as always. I have to be an example in all things and at all times. There's no holiday. There's no success until we reach heaven's shore.

1. Watch how you speak: profanity, lying, insult, swearing,

2. Watch how you behave: integrity, friendship, fellowship, principles, discipline,

3. Watch what and how you love.

4. Watch your profession: your doctrine, church, Bible,

5. Watch your life: purity and godliness; sin and evil company

 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟝:𝟚𝟘

"Those who continue in sin, reprove in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful."

Sin is dangerous. It's contagious. Therefore, it must be dealt with effectively.

Sin affects the person and infects others too. While coronavirus is infected through direct contact or even if it could be airborne, sin is infected even by sight, hearing, and thinking. It's far, far pandemic.

Therefore, public sin must be dealt with publicly. That it might not infect others, that it might instil the fear of sin. Fear restrains people from sinning.

BTW, Church discipline has not been practiced biblically by many churches. It is a must!

 

𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟞:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟡

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."

It's okay to be rich. It's good to be rich.

It's not ok to boast of richness. It's not right to look down on the poor. It's not right to run after money.

The rich must be generous because it's God who allows them to be rich. The rich must be rich in good works also.

And now, the question is how much is rich?

Let's realize that if we have food and clothing, it's enough (v8). Therefore, let's also remember that we are richer than many people on earth. And therefore, applies to us too.

Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Thessalonians 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

2 THESSALONIANS 1:10

"When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."

A Messi fan doesn't like to be in the stadium of Ronaldo fans, and vice versa. We enjoy the company of like-minded people. Imagine a world of only like-minded people, how wonderful will it be! Might I suggest more wildly? Think of the coming of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! Everyone's a Believer. No fighting, no argument, no ill-treatment, no sin, nothing evil!

Everyone will give Jesus the glory He deserves. Everyone will admire Him, and get to receive a crown from Him. I am sure, that's better than Messi or Ronaldo signing an autograph for us. 😉

The world may continue to mock my Lord and our Christian ethics, but one day, mockery will cease, and we will have our reign! I long for that day!

And of course, I long for other non-believers to admire my Lord too from this present life.

 

2 THESSALONIANS 2:10-12

"And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Is it not wonderful that Satan's deception is only over the non-believers? Satan has no power over us. Our faith, our hope, and our salvation is established by God. Even the deception of Satan is allowed by God so that the wicked people can seal their own destruction.

I don't need to worry whether my faith will fall or not when Anti-Christ comes because the coming of the Anti-Christ is for the deception of unbelievers that they may perish in the coming wrath of God; the coming of Jesus-Christ is for the salvation of believers from the tribulation and coming wrath of God.

 

2 THESSALONIANS 3:15

“Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

How difficult it is to deal with an unrepentant brother without giving in to hatred. I have seen Christian leaders ex-communicating others in the name of biblical disciplines, not in love but in hate. When all efforts fail, it often ends up as an enemy. Hating the person once loved! I can see that tendency even in my own heart.

O Lord, to speak ill of none, to hate nobody, cause my heart to thrive in Your Love, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Thessalonians 1-5

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

1 THESSALONIANS 1:5

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,"

Without the hearing of the gospel, no one is saved, but the gospel alone does not save anyone, we need the work of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, almost everyone on earth would have been saved by now, because almost everyone has somehow heard the gospel. Even most of the hearers of our Lord Jesus Christ weren't saved. O, to depend on the Holy Spirit!

When I read the Bible, when I listen to a sermon, if it doesn't convict me of my sins, if it doesn't make me tremble before God and cause me to amend my lifestyle, I am reading the Bible and hearing a sermon 'only in word'. The Thessalonians repented unto God from their sins (1:9).

Lord, make me read Your word in power. Make me listen to sermons in power. I want to be like the Thessalonians and Paul— always transforming into the likeness of You, Amen!

 

1 THESSALONIANS 2:8

“So, affectionately longing for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our lives, because you had become dear to us.”

Relationship in a ministry is important. But we don't build a skin-deep deep relationship with flattering words (v5) but as parents. GENTLE as a mother (v7), and INSTRUCTIVE as a father (v11). Meanwhile the gospel as the bedrock. It occurs to me as I think about this passage, and look into Christian ministries around us, that a ministry without a gentle relationship is a prison, and a ministry without accurate instruction is a house on the sand.

I have been reading this passage every year of my Christian life, and have listened to a fair share of sermons on this passage over the years, but only today, it occurs to me that: A pastoral ministry is not only modeled after a servant leadership but a parental shepherding!

Am I the first one to come up with this term "parental shepherding"? I think not, but I don't remember hearing or seeing it before. Of course, countless preachers have often said ‘shepherd them as a mother or as a parent’, but "parental shepherding", not heard, ever. 🙂

 

1 THESSALONIANS 3:7

"Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you by your faith."

Apostle Paul was so distressful about the spiritual condition of Thessalonian Christians to the extent that he could no longer endure (v1). He was forced out of there on his last visit, and the church was heavily persecuted. The news of spiritual growth came to him as great comfort.

 # Do I (as an ordinary Christian) take delight in sharing with my spiritual leaders about my walk with the Lord?

 # Am I (as an under-shepherd) taking delight in knowing the spiritual condition of God's flock?

 

1 THESSALONIANS 4:11

"And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you."

It is far easier to talk about others’ mistakes and very difficult to even admit our own mistakes. Paul wants us to be quiet (not to meddle) with others’ business, but to be busy with our own business.

Oh, to work on personal sanctification first and far more than anybody's sanctification, my Lord, Help, I pray. Even as a pastor, personal sanctification is far more important than corporate sanctification (church as a whole). For he who is not personally sanctified disqualified himself to lead the church! Mercy, Lord, that I be not disqualified!

 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:14

"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

The family of God has old and wise people, young and energetic ones, many children, and many infants. Sometimes, even the mature acts like a child or an infant. That's why we must bear with one another in patience, not repaying evil for evil, but maintaining the peace which Christ has given us when God has adopted us to be His children in the family of God.

"Patience," that's the word! The greatest antidote for all frustration. To be known for patience, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Colossians 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

COLOSSIANS 1:15

 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

Has anybody seen God? Jesus is the exact representation of God in personal (bodily) form. A mere man is created in God's image, but in Jesus dwells the fullness of God.

O what an amazing grace that my glorious Creator had laid aside His glory to come to earth in a bodily form that I may know Him and enjoy Him in His kingdom!

My life is for Him, living for His glory, to please Him, to know Him and cherish Him evermore, and to delight in the cause of His fame, Amen!

 

COLOSSIANS 1:3-4

TODAY IS SUNDAY, See you all in the Church! As Apostle Paul rejoiced in hearing how Colossians were growing in their faith and in their love for one another, may we hear from one another how we are growing in faith and in loving one another!

We cannot hear unless somebody speaks up. Also, we cannot hear unless we listen. So, let our Sunday Meeting be a time of talking and listening to others. In other words, Sunday fellowship is not just about singing, praying, and listening to a sermon, it is also about having a CONVERSATION with one another. Do not underestimate the power of conversation in the church!

 

COLOSSIANS 2:8

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

The word of God is the supreme authority above all ideas. This is a perfect verse to counsel a schizophrenic person.

COLOSSIANS 3:17

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Thankfulness is one of the repeated themes in this book of Colossians (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2) Oh! How God wants us to be thankful people!

The root meaning of 'giving thanks' is gratefulness. It is a response to the grace of God. Since we have received and built our life upon His grace, we are to be thankful people at all times, in all places, and in every work.

I am commanded not only to do everything for the glory of God (1Cor.10:31) but also to do everything giving thanks to God. Lord, help me be thankful!

 

COLOSSIANS 4:3

"meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word"

Paul, a godly and prayerful man doesn't rely on his prayer alone. He seeks out the prayer of others. Whose prayers? The ordinary Christians of Colossae. No matter who or what, everyone needs the prayers of others. No matter how immature one may be, if one is a Christian, his prayer is effective, because it comes up to the throne of Grace.

When was the last time I sent out prayer requests? And how often have I offered to pray for others? I am afraid they are as little as a drop of water in a thirsty man's cup!

Lord, humble me to always fall before Your throne of Grace, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Philippians 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

PHILIPPIANS 1

I was reading PHILIPPIANS 1 this morning. Pastor ______ had explained the significance of the word "bond-servant" (v1) as a demonstration of humility in last Sunday's Sermon when he was going through the last section of Colossians.

So, I decided to meditate on the word Grace and Peace (v2) today. Oh! How often must I think and talk about God's grace in my life! A wretched sinner, redeemed by the grace of God! May I be gracious to others too, as my Lord has been to me!

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:30

My meditation for today is PHIL. 2:30: "for the work of Christ, he came close to death"

Paul commended Epaphroditus for his work for Christ. What Epaphroditus did was serving Paul to the point that he got sick almost unto death.

Working for Christ is not just reaching out to lost people. It includes meeting the needs of a brother/sister in Christ. It may be even the daily chores. Whatever I do to build up the body of Christ is a legitimate work for Christ!

Am I delighting in any work of ministry I come across like Epaphroditus? Or do I want to have pre-eminence among all like Diotrephes?

 

PHILIPPIANS 3:20

"for our citizenship is in heaven"

I often considered this a relief that I'm not a citizen of Bangladesh or Myanmar but a citizen of India. But many times, I wished I were a citizen of the USA or UK, which is far better than being Indian. Yet, the Bible says that our citizenship is above and beyond the prestige of any nation on earth— ours is of Heaven. Oh! To live like that, in holiness and righteousness in anticipation of the return of Christ, help, Lord!

 

PHILIPPIANS 4:5

"Let your gentleness be known to all men"

How often it is easier for me to choose to be tough over gentleness! 😔

How often have I chosen the path of humor, sarcasm, and satire at the expense of gentleness in my speech, writing, and conduct!!!??? 😔

How tempting it is to look witty in the eyes of man when I am commanded to be known for nothing else but gentleness!

My prayer, my desire, my commitment is this: Lord, help me to always look for an option of gentleness in all tough situations, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Ephesians 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙:𝟛

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

It doesn't say, "will bless us," or "would've blessed us." It says "has blessed us"

It doesn't say, "a few blessings" or "some blessings" or "many blessings." It doesn't even say "abundant blessings" but "every blessing"

Indeed, what to do with such an act of such blessings! How am I to respond!? Yes, to bless the Lord!  This word/phrase, "blessed be God” means to praise God. To speak well of God. To be happy with God!

𝓨𝓮𝓼 𝓛𝓸𝓻𝓭, 𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻! 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓷!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟚:𝟛

"among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."

I am no better than any sinner around me because:

1. I was once like them.

2. I am changed not by my desire, plan, knowledge, or doing; it's solely by God.

3. I would still do the same things if not being preserved by the power of God

4. Sometimes, I find myself doing identical things like them.

5. Sometimes, I could be falling into a specific sinful situation more than them.

Therefore, I cannot glory myself over them, nor look down on them. I cannot congratulate myself nor despise any sinner.

I am to glory in the grace of God, to give Him all the praise and delight in Him.

Also, I am to be merciful to non-Christians, and proclaim to them the grace of the Gospel!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟛:𝟙

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—"

Did Christ have a prison? Did Christ arrest Paul? Then why did Paul say that?  The Jews arrested him. Handed him over to the Romans. And kept in a Roman prison. But all these because Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus so that the Gentiles may be freed from the enslavement of sin and bondage of Satan.

Paul exchanged his physical freedom for the spiritual freedom of the Gentiles. Jesus exchanged His life for our life; He died so that we may have eternal life.

Furthermore, Paul recognized that it pleased God to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He knew that God can release him anytime from the prison, and even if he died, he knew God was in charge, and therefore, he would still rejoice in the Lord in all situations!

—𝔾𝕠𝕕 𝕀𝕤 𝕀𝕟 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕝—

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟜:𝟛𝟙

"Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and shouting and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

Bitterness, oh the unhappiness with others.

Anger, oh the revengeful attitude

Wrath, oh the uncontrollable temper

Shouting, the untamed tongue

Slander, the backbiting, accusations, criticism, jealousy.

These aren't the virtues of a new life in Christ. They must be crucified, put away, forsaken.

𝓛𝓸𝓻𝓭, 𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓹 𝓜𝓮!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟝:𝟙-𝟚

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Children imitate their parents; that's a fact!  If we are children of God, so must we imitate God. We became His children by hearing the gospel from His word and seeing the changes in us. Similarly, we can only see Him through His word to imitate Him, and in applying in our life, transforming day by day!

The standout attribute of God that this wicked world needs is love, and is still the virtue we need to demonstrate in loving others. Not to be selfish. Not to think only for self, but to think for others as well, for the good of others too!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟞:𝟞-𝟟

"not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men."

Ultimately, everything we do anywhere, BPO, Hospital, Industry, any Company's work, we are doing to please God. We do righteously, sincerely, and with integrity.

Not for money, not to please men, not for promotion, though these are also part of our objectives of what we do, but most importantly, we do, knowing God is in control, and that God looks after those who are faithful!