Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." (1Tim.6.1)  Counting your masters worthy of all honour. This is an honourable statement. To count one worthy of the honour that one has to be honourable. But that isn't the Apostle Paul's admonition. He seems to be saying that the only reason he qualifies for honour is that he is your master.  To be honoured, one has to do honourable things but the Apostle says whether he does honourable things or not, he deserves your honour. And he says the reason for this is so that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. Then you argue that he has you under the yoke of servitude. He is a hard boss, he is a difficult supervisor - count him worthy of honour. And you are doing this for God's sake.  This reminds me of what the Lord does for us for his name's sake. Psalm:23:3 says "He restoreth my soul:

"Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox," and, "A worker deserves his pay." (1Tim.5.18)  To say a worker deserves his pay is a statement of fact. There is on the one hand how well the worker may have done his work. This requires skills on the part of the worker. The Bible has a lot to say about skilled workers. (see Exo:31) The Bible talks about how skillful David was when King Saul employed him (1 Sam:16:16-23) And how in stewardship a man should be found faithful. Another translation says skillful and trustworthy (see 1 Cor:4:2) And on the other hand, there is the employer for whom the worker has worked. There are certain employers for whom when you are done working, withhold your pay. This is what the Bible says to them "At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee." (Deut.24.15) 

It is true that the one choice we could not make for ourselves was the choice of who our parents are. In the wisdom of the Lord, He gave us our parents. There must be something worthwhile about it.  It stands to reason that you probably would not have become the person you are without your parents. I know some would argue that they made progress without the input of their parents. But if the truth were to be told, the genes in you that make you who you are came from your parents. Little wonder then we are admonished to make it our responsibility to show that we are godly by taking care of our parents.  "But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God very much." (1Tim.5.4)  The Apostle Paul was addressing the issue of widows and he says that as believers our first responsibility is to show godliness at home - charity indeed begins at

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you." (1Tim.4.16)  Keeping a close watch on yourself is the way the Apostle began this verse. And this is important because a lot of people have made it their life ambition to keep a close watch over you when they have not succeeded in keeping a watch over themselves. Keeping a close watch on yourself is so important that Jesus said you should remove the log in your eyes before you try to remove the speck in your brother's eyes.  "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5 ESV)  The principle is to first judge yourself and then stay true to what is right, and others will see and learn from you.  The Apostle asked, "who are your to judge another man's servant? That it is his master that can make him stand, not you so f

  Meditation is a success factor. In very many ways, I could imagine meditation as a tool in the toolkit of champions.  God told Joshua to meditate on the book of the law - that is the word of God. Meditation is muttering under your breath. It is to think repeatedly. It is to focus on, to the point of fixation. Little wonder Paul the Apostle says here 'give yourself wholly to them' : "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1Tim.4.15)  To meditate is to give oneself wholly to what you're thinking on. It is good to read the scriptures. We saw that a few days ago in 1 Tim:4:13. It was this train of thought that was carried over to verse 15 of 1 Timothy where we are told to meditate. So if we put both verses together we will have this: "Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them."  Meditate upon these things; give thyself

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." (1Tim.4.14)  Everyone is gifted by the creator to be a solution to at least a particular problem here on earth. Whether we realize this and then use our gifts to serve the greater good is up to us.  For one to not neglect something, one must first have recognized the presence of that thing. Do you recognize what gifts you possess?  The Story of the parable of talent comes to mind. One was given five talents, another two, and then another one. What is interesting to note is that increase came with use. The one with five used his and got five more, and the one with two used his and got two more. But the one with one dug the ground and hid his and did not increase. (see Matt:25:15-30) This establishes the fact that with use comes an increase. If you do not use it, you will lose it. And nobody wants that.  Little wonder then, Timothy is encourag

"Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them." (1Tim.4.13)  There are so many benefits to reading the scriptures. Reading is a lifelong activity and those who engage in it can testify to its benefits.  We know that the word of God contains the promises of God. If God ever promised you anything, you will find it in the word of God - the Bible.  So when the Apostle Paul admonishes his godson Timothy to focus on reading the scriptures, there was a catch to it.  "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2Pet.1.4)  Here the Apostle Peter tells us that it is by "these promises" that we become partakers of the divine nature. So when we read, again and again, we are changed into what it is we read.  It is by the scriptures that we become bo

It is said that respect is reciprocal. That is common sense. But self-governance is the first rule to attracting respect. Once a person knows how to carry themselves no matter what, they will attract the respect that they deserve. The way one governs one's self says a lot about that one. Whether or not they are deserving of respect.  "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (1Tim.4.12)  The Apostle Paul admonishes the young Pastor Timothy to not let anyone think less or look down on him. The word 'let' presupposes that you are the one responsible for how people treat you. He says, "don't let anyone". How have you let people look down on you? How have you let people talk down on you? How have you let people mistreat you?  Do not give them the power to. And he showed him what he needed to do so as not to g

  These are no times for half-hearted commitment. It is everything in or nothing at all. We live in trying times that demand your all, it has to be nothing short of all in.  "This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers." (1Tim.4.10)  We must learn to throw ourselves all in. Half-hearted commitment will not get the work done. The Apostle Paul says this is why we've thrown ourselves into the venture so totally.  The story is told of the young man who threw his hat over the fence so that he would have a compelling reason to throw his heart over the fence. For where his heart went, his body followed. The Apostle Paul says his compelling reason is that he is banking on the living God who can save all men and women, especially believers.  Your fruitfulness is in the place of your faithfulness. Throw yourself on the Lord, He is dependable. Do not be half-he

  Little drops of water make a mighty ocean goes the axiom. The same can be said of exercises. It has to be gradual but consistent. Our text addresses profit from both the life that now is and that which is to come. "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1Tim.4.8)  If we learn to profit on both counts, bodily and spiritually, great indeed is our gain. If we do not gain that little profit that comes from exercise, our weak bodies may not be able to carry our strong spirits to do the works of God.  God wants us to approach both bodily and spiritual exercise the same way, that is with consistency. If you want to see the result of your bodily exercise you have to be consistent. In the same way, God wants you to build a formidable and consistent relationship with Him and that comes about with consistent fellowship.  Exercise will do for our body what fel

"But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers ' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]." (1Tim.4.7)  We sometimes do not know how strong or otherwise we are. We cannot determine this until we are in a situation that places a demand on our strengths. People have had to scale a wall twice their height because of perceived danger. Put them in front of that height with no perceived danger and they are found wanting.  Our text says to refuse and avoid profanity. There are things we would not be able to refuse or avoid until there is a perceived danger. The level of profanity in and around us, in society today is pulsating.  But the Apostle we should not only refuse it but should avoid it.  Then it says to train yourself toward godliness, keeping yourself spiritually fit. To train yourself you need the recipe provi

"Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. (1Tim.4.9) The Psalmist says everything is speaking. The heavens declare the glory of God. It says every day utters speech and night shows knowledge and that these plethoras of voices are heard everywhere.  "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." (Ps.19.1- 3) And then we are told that not one of these voices is without significance  "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification." (1Cor.14.10)  Your feeling is the voice of your flesh. And most of us are trained to hear only the voice of our flesh. If it feels right do it. If it doesn't feel right don't do it. You only listen to your flesh.  Others only listen to the voice of reason. If the

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils"  The first thing worthy of note in this verse is that the Spirit speaks. And his speech is not ambiguous, vague, or fuzzy, but precise, they are distinct. God is not trying to tell you something. If God wants to tell you something, He will not try, he will just do it and it will be expressly. God understands what language you will understand.  God spoke through a donkey to a prophet and the prophet understood. God spoke to a fish and the fish understood. You are on a much higher class of creature. I bet you will hear and understand God.  We also notice here that even though the Spirit speaks expressly, some will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Be careful who you listen to. There is nothing God will tell you that will not line up with the written word of God. The written word and the living w

What is at the bottom is very important, depending on where you are looking at it and what perspective you are considering. The foundation of a house is not usually put into consideration when the beauty is put on display. But without a solid foundation, that beauty may amount to nothing. The foundation is at the bottom.  "Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray--not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God." (1Tim.2.8 Msg)  The Apostle Paul told his godson Timothy that prayer is at the bottom of it all. We cannot gainsay the importance of prayers in the life of the believer. It is likened to the foundation. So he says instead of shaking angry fists at enemies, men should pray with holy hands lifted to God.  When we lift holy hands to God in the place of prayer we take the posture of surrender to God. It is a position that says I trust You to fix this, I leave it in Your hands and trust that You will han

The redemption of mankind was total. Christ Jesus died for all of mankind. His exchange was one for everyone. He took the place of everyone. John tells that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son. (John:3:16) It was the world that got the gift of the son of God. And the world represents all of mankind, the human race. And it was for these that Jesus died and made an exchange of himself for everyone.  "who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually, the news is going to get out." (1Tim.2.6 Amp.)  Jesus Christ exchanged himself for everyone that was held captive by sin. This is what he did so that he can set them all free. There is freedom for the world. Jesus did not die to set Christians free but to set everyone captive to sin, free.  But not everyone is enjoying this freedom because not all have acknowledged and accepted this exchange. And even those who have acknowledged this exchange are not

"Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth." (1Tim.2.4 Amp.)  When the all-powerful God Who has the power and wherewithal to make every wish come to pass wishes for something, it is worth paying attention to that wish.  The Apostle Peter affirms this position when he wrote "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2Pet.3.9)  God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. And because of this, we are told that it is God's wish that all men be saved. But not only saved but to increasingly perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. Jesus is the divine Truth. For men to come to the saving knowledge of our God, God needs you.  How is this

"This is good and pleases God our Savior." (1Tim.2.3 NLT)  When the Bible says something is good and pleases God I want to do that thing in a hurry because I am pleased when God is pleased.  What is this thing that is good and pleases God? The previous verse answers that question. It says: "Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation."  (1Tim.2.2 Msg) The Apostle Paul says when we pray for rulers and their government, it is not only a good thing but that it pleases God.  I have heard well-meaning leaders say it is difficult to pray for the government because they consider all the faults and atrocities, incompetence, and ineptitude of the government. But the Bible says when we do, it is good and that it pleases God.  It is the place of the believer to pray that the rulers rule well. Is it possible that they do not rule well because we have failed in our ass

The principle of first things first simply states that when you take care of the first things, the others will fall into place. It is a principle of prioritizing, of laying a good foundation. And once that is done the 'building' start 'growing'.  The Apostle Paul tells us what the first thing we need to do is. He says the first thing we should do is to pray. Put prayer ahead of your skills and talents, ahead of your connections, and ahead of everything else.  "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know." (1Tim.2.1 Msg)  Prayer puts God first. Prayer says I am depending on You and that I can not do it on my own. Prayer is God extending Himself on our behalf. Prayer is God saying you trust Me enough to put it in my hands, and I will not fall you.  He says to pray every way you know how - pray in the spirit and pray in your understanding. Pray for your wife, pray for your children, pray for leaders as

"keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith." (1Tim.1.19)  The first thing to note in this verse is that it says "keep a firm grip on your faith and yourself". That means taking your faith seriously. Do not be flippant with your faith. Do not say anything goes. Hold yourself to high standards.  You wonder why this is important. When you allow yourself, for example, to think negatively. Someone would say it is not a sin until one acts on it. That may be true. But one thing doing that does to you is that when you allow yourself to indulge long enough, over time, you would weaken your resolve to be able to stop yourself. So keep a firm grip on your faith and yourself.  Next, it says that this is a fight we're not in. If you keep taking blow after blow, no matter how weak the blows are,

"Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." (1Tim.1.13)  The Apostle Paul rolled out his resume containing atrocities he had perpetuated in the past: a blasphemer - one who insults and shows contempt and disrespect for God.  A persecutor and injurious: It is on record that he had obtained a document that permitted him to continue his reign of persecution of Christians.   "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." (Acts.9.1 - 2) Also, he supervised the stoning to death of one of the first deacons of the church - Stephen  "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's fe

You are enough. Yes, you! You are enough. God made you complete in yourself. God made you enough.  Yes I know sometimes it feels like you are not enough. When the loads come bearing down on you. The goals were not met. Others look down on you, the rent's not paid. The school fees are delayed again and they had to send your ward back home. Despite it all, you are still enough.  And it is in the recognition that you are enough that you will begin to act as such.  "I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry." (1Tim.1.12)  The Apostle Paul says he is thankful to God for making him adequate, for making him enough. And because he is enough he can do his work. You can do whatever it is God has set before you. In setting that work before you, God was making a statement that you are enough.  God is out on a limp, trusting you with your gifts and talents, with your abilit

"The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith."  (1Tim.1.5)  Human nature seeks to please itself before it considers others. This is a result of the fallen nature that man took on when he bequeathed his estate to the serpent the devil.  When man fell, he fell from all that God had for him. Hence the Apostle Paul here instructs and gave us the purpose for these instructions.  And the purpose is fourfold: That Christians be filled with love. Love is above all else. Are you filled with love? Romans:5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.  "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom.5.5)  So the right question is: How well do you express this love of God that is in your heart? Next, it says that this love must come from a pure heart. This