Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing" is how the axiom goes.  These are no times for keeping quiet. If you are in a position to speak out against evil and you do not because of "fringe benefits", remember that time is transient.  "Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. (Titus.2.1 MSB) It is your job and the job of every right-thinking member of society to speak out and speak up in the face of daunting evil. The church in Crete was threatened by false doctrine, and the Apostle Paul admonished Titus to speak out for the right doctrine. So also you must speak against what is wrong in society.  The evil that is bent on crippling our collective good must be spoken against. That it favours you today doesn't make it right. And that it is against you today does not make it wrong.  For you who see the truth and call it false, black and call it white, wrong and call it right, you ar

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." (Titus.1.15) We tend to see the world, the way we are. Not the way it is but the way we are. When people are critical, it probably is because they have a critical spirit. If we are trusting, it is probably because we are trustworthy. So we project ourselves onto others. Is this good? People tell you, "you can't trust anyone ". Some even go as far as to say "I can't even trust myself". There is a context in which this may apply and that is the context where none of us as human beings is perfect. But if we see worth in you as Christ saw in you to make Him come down to earth to die for you, then you can trust yourself. And the more of that trust you invest in yourself, the more trustworthy you will become . To the pure all things are pure. But to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure.

"Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." (Titus.1.14)  Time is ever liquid, it is constantly moving and never static. And as time passes, events unfold, and history is made. But the truth remains constant, consistent, and relevant.  Our text points out three interactions of men, three philosophies, and principles. It talks about fables, the commandments of men, and then the truth. And one of these three is your guiding principles as you walk through life. And sometimes we oscillate back and forth among them.  Some people's lives are built on fables, beliefs that cannot be founded. Stories from the past that do not have any serious eternal consequences. Others build theirs on the commandments of men. Their sense of right and wrong is based on the commandments of men. When we read John 18,  we see these three philosophies play out. The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate to be judged by the commandment of men. Plates say go

"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus.1.9) Someone was supposed to transfer money to me for some classes I had taken for him. When he did not meet the set time, I reminded him why it will be difficult to trust him afterward. Two days later, he sent the money with the caption: my word is my bound, and bound is my word. It brings the scripture to mind. God's word will not come two days late and claim that His word is His bound. The Bible says God's word is faithful. God's word is faithful and that is why we can hold fast to it knowing it will not fail but come to pass as it says. Isaiah tells us that God's word hit the target every time. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isa

Every purpose has a time attached to it. And when the time of a thing has come, there is nothing that can stop that thing.  "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" (Eccl.3.1)  The word of God has a time attached to its manifestation. It is called a due season. When the due season comes nothing can stand against it.  "But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;" (Titus.1.3)  The Apostle Paul says that God manifested His word in due time. What does it mean for the word to manifest in due time? It means that time when the word becomes what it said it will become.  Due season suggests that there is a right time. And the right time for the word to manifest is that time when the word is believed and acted upon.  When you receive God's word through preaching or otherwise, the word begins to act on you to the point when you b

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus.1.2)  Faith is how we respond to the word of God. When we respond appropriately, that word produces in us the hope of eternal life. Do you have this hope? Paul, the Apostle speaking in another context spoke about this hope, only this time, referred to it as the hope of glory. He said Christ in you is this hope of glory otherwise referenced in our text as the hope of eternal life.  Therefore, going back to the preceding verse in our text, he says, when we respond rightly to the word of God, that word in us produces the hope of eternal life.  2 Tim:1:1 tells us that we have the promise of life.  "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus," (2Tim.1.1)  Since God is a God that cannot lie, we know He will fulfill His promise but you have to respond appropriately and that is by faith. How does faith

"I, Paul, am God's slave and Christ's agent for promoting the faith among God's chosen people, getting out the accurate word on God and how to respond rightly to it. (Titus.1.1 MSB) When you can identify as God's slave you are sure at the peak of fellowship with God. To be a slave is more base than being a servant. As a servant, one still has some rights and privileges but as a slave, your master owns you through and through.  It means you are completely sold out to your master. Here the Apostle Paul identifies as God's slave - one that is completely sold out to God.  That means the words you speak are not your own, the thoughts you think are giving to you to think. That is the height of it when you cannot think for yourself. But with God being your master, what it then means is that you think the thoughts of God and because you think the thoughts of God, you will begin to act like God, and speak like God. You must lose your thoughts and take on His

"God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes! (2Tim.4.18 MSB)  This must be your proclamation: "God is looking after me." We must understand that God said that in His word. He says He will watch over you. And what God says He will do, is what He will do.  And the Apostle Paul got it right. He says God is looking after me. That means He is nurturing me, He is caring for me. Furthermore, he says that God is keeping him safe.  No evil will befall you because God is keeping you safe. A thousand may fall by your side and ten thousand by your right hand but it will not come near you. No matter how uproariously the fighting, God will keep you safe.  "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." (Ps.91.7)  Elections are around the corner and there are rumours of wars, riots, and crises everywhere but be rest assured that God is wa

"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." (2Tim.4.17) It appears that when it seems we need people the most, that is when they seem to disappoint us the most. It is true that at a critical point in one's life, one will be left alone by friends and even family. But you are never alone for the Lord will stand by you. The Apostle Paul narrated the troubles he has been through but concluded, "nevertheless the Lord stood by me". There is no other person I would rather have standing by my side when I am in trouble but the Lord. Let me encourage someone, the Lord will stand by you. I know this because the word of God said so. "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Heb.13.5) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Ps.46.1) We

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:" (2Tim.4.14) That we live in trying times is no longer news. People will go out of their way to hurt you. They do this because they hurt themselves. As the saying goes, 'hurt people will hurt people'. People are looking for avenues to vent, to pour their frustrations. As though, if they pour it on someone, they will be free of it. Or it is even you who is looking for the appropriate avenue to let out steam. Let us draw from the example of the Apostle Paul and let God handle it. He says that "Alexander the coppersmith did him much evil". I do not know what people have done to you. Do not allow them to drag you into their frustration. Let God handle it. Just as the Apostle Paul says "the Lord rewards him according to his works:" It is as if we forget that God will truly reward every man according to his work. So if you do good, God will reward yo

  "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." (2Tim.4.11)  I am not going to try to give the meaning of the name Mark, as I came up with several meanings as I checked. Some of the meanings I came across were "God of war, to be warlike, polite and shining, etc. But we will look at the symbolic mean as it relates to our discussion.  The Apostle Paul has requested that Mark be brought to him because he is profitable for the ministry. You would remember that there was a time when Apostle Paul rejected Mark as he embarked on his second missionary journey with Barnabas.  "And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought it not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto

"[As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor 's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day - and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return). (2Tim.4.8 AMP) Happy valentines day. This is an appropriate day for this scripture.  The Apostle Paul says there is a victor's crown that awaits him and that the reason this crown awaits him is that he was right with God and has done right.  The only way one can be right with God is to believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Christ was made sin for us so that we can be made the righteousness of God in Christ.  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2Cor.5.21)  But after we believed we must engage in doing good works, doing

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2Tim.4.7) The Apostle Paul made a statement consisting of three clauses and they were all in the affirmative. I have fought a good fight: he did not say I am fighting a good fight but I have fought a good fight. Meaning the fight was over and done with. But he was still here on the earth when he said that. Next, he said: I have finished my course. His course was all that God set out for him to do and he said he has finished it. And finally, he said I have kept the faith. Not keeping the faith but kept it In all these, he spoke as though he was already done even though he was still here. There was a tone of finality in his voice. "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;" (2Cor.4.13) In 2 Cor:4:13 we see the principle the Apostle Paul put into practice in our text. He s

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2Tim.4.5 NIV) Keep your head in the game, these are perilous times, these are times that try men's souls. There's so much distraction out there, you cannot focus on frying the small fish, major in the minors, but you must keep your head in the game and discharge all the duties of your calling.  A few days ago, a friend asked me this question: What one behavior do you think if you improve, will make a huge difference in your 2023? And I responded: Acting on all I know. And he asked again: What’s stopping you? And all I could manage feebly was: Hmm... In our text, the Apostle Paul says if you are going to deliver on all your deliverables, you must keep your head in all situations. Many people are sweating the small stuff. They allow distractions to throw them. He says to endure hardship but keep doing your work. Do not let i

"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. (2Tim.3.16 MSB) The word of God - the scripture is God-breathed. That means it is inspired by God and that it has its source in God. It may have come through the instrumentality of men but God inspired it.  And that it is useful one way or another - we must find the usefulness of scriptures in our daily lives. God's word has something for you daily. In the wilderness, God instructed the people of Israel to go scoop manner daily.  "Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no." (Exod.16.4)  When you encounter the word of God daily it begins to show you the truth. Jesus said anyone that would do His will, will know of His doctri

In Proverbs, the wise king Solomon says to " Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Prov.22.6 AMP)  Here we see that the responsibility for training lies with the parent. As long as the learner is a child, it is the responsibility of the trainer to train, to point the child in the right direction, or to train the child to learn how to choose the right part.  But that's where the responsibility of the trainer, the parents ends. As an adult, it is now the responsibility of the one that was trained to use his or her training to continue in the things that he or she has learnt.  "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;" (2Tim.3.14)  The Apostle Paul says to Timothy, the responsibility to continue on the things you learned as a child is on you. The challenge of continuity is made

"Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse." (2Tim.3.13 MSB) As believers, we ought to use our faith to do exploit and not to exploit the faith of others.  Jesus went into the temple and found people who were taking advantage of the faith, exploiting it. One account says he took a whip and drove them all out. It is what happens after he drove them out that is interesting. The Bible records that the house became a house of prayer, then the blind and the lame came to him and he healed them.  "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the t

It was the Apostle Paul that told us that those that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2Tim.3.12)  If this is true and it is, then we must learn to endure in the face of persecution. Do you realize that patience, temperance, and long-suffering are all part of the fruit of the spirit? (see Gel:5:21-22) When do you hope to exhibit these fruit? In the face of trial, persuasions, and suffering God has promised to deliver us. So you must not give up or give in until our victories come.  "You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra--but the Lord delivered me from all of it. (2Tim.3.11 NLT) But the Lord...  I do not know what trials and sufferings plague you, but the Lord will not let them overwhelm you. But the Lord delivered you from all of it. This scripture also reminds us o

The essence of learning is to be able. We learn so that we are able to... Learning helps us evolve and enables us. If one learns and one is not able to, then there is a problem. Ever learning and never being able to be is just as bad as never learning and never being able. The Apostle spoke of certain women who were always learning but were not able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Learning is supposed to enable you, to empower you to be able to do, actualize, and most importantly become. "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Tim.3.7) Why were they not able to come to the knowledge of the truth? If we read this same verse 7 in the New Living Translation we may find out why. "Such women are forever following new teachings, but they never understand the truth. (2Tim.3.7 NLT) It says they are forever following new teachings. They never stay with the truth long enough for it to stick, take root and cause them to und

If t he Bible instructs believers to turn away from certain such things, then It is important that we commit such things to mind and constantly turn away from them. It says as the end approaches- We are in the last days of the last days. This admonition is even more important now than it was then. Please check out the list: "As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, (2Tim.3.2 MSB) "They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. (2Tim.3.3 NLT) treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. (2Tim.3.4 MSB) "They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people. (2Tim.3.5 MSB) If you see at least one of these lists, it is important to note that God can work things out