DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY , JANUARY 30, 2018 REMAIN FOCUSED TEXT: 1TIMOTHY 1:1-11

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY , JANUARY 30, 2018

REMAIN FOCUSED

TEXT: 1TIMOTHY 1:1-11

KEY VERSE: "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." (1 Timothy 1:4)

In the course of daily life, there are always contending and contrasting signals that crave for the attention of the unwary. He that is without a clear focus is often a victim of the push-and-pull tendencies of life.

At this time, Timothy was left in Ephesus by Paul the apostle for a purpose. He charged Timothy to instruct brethren to teach no other doctrine than that which they had been taught. Timothy was warned not to dabble into fables and genealogies which only "minister questions." While some came to teach false doctrines at Ephesus, there were also some

Jews who used the Old Testament law to justify themselves. They were unable to keep the demands of the law and were resistant to the law of God. They placed great importance on the keeping of correct ancestral records. This attitude left them in spiritual destitution. Timothy was charged to focus and concentrate on those things that edify. He was not to engage in meaningless discussions.

If Timothy was instructed to be careful in his dealings with the legalistics Jews, we need God's guidance in our dealings with unbelievers today. As believers and representatives of Christ here on earth, we must not give attention or dissipate energy on irrelevant arguments that do not profit. We must also heed the charge to refrain from "fables and endless genealogies" that cannot save or take anyone to heaven.

We must take our attention away from irrelevant things today and focus on significant spiritual matters. Our preoccupation must be with preaching the whole counsel of God to save and take people to heaven.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There's no gain in winning the argument but losing the soul.
COVER TO COVER: EXODUS 1-3.

PONDER:
1. Paul did not call himself an apostle because he believed he was great and talented enough to be called one. He actually received a clear divine commandment to be one v1. Did you receive definite call for the title you are called?
2. Observe that it is only in pastoral epistles (Titus, I and 2 Timothy) Paul asked God for grace, MERCY and peace. In all the other epistles of Paul, he only asked God for grace and peace. This shows the pastors need mercy of God more than the congregation. Why is this so?
3. The idea of forgetting essential Bible doctrines that divide us and live together in unity as Christians is strange to the Bible v3. Jude 3
4. Doubtful actions that generate questions and arguments rather than edifying believers should be avoided in the church. v4
5. The design or the goal of God's grace is to produce charity in our lives. So, all actions, words,prayers and thoughts must be judged by the law of charity v5.
6. Here is a caution: The charity must pass through 3 tests before it is acceptable to God v5. Is it from a pure heart? Does your conscience bears witness that it is right? Does the action or words agree with the christian faith in all sincerity?

HYMN: Faith of Our Fathers

1. Faith of our fathers! living still
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

2 Faith of our fathers! we will strive
to win all nations unto thee,
and through the truth that comes from God,
the world shall then be truly free:
faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

3 Faith of our fathers! we will love
both friend and foe in all our strife;
and preach thee, too, as love knows how,
by kindly words and virtuous life:
faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

PRAYER POINTS
1. Ask for grace to always love the truth and not to be distracted by questionable doctrines in these last days.
2. Pray for daily growth in Christ's love towards one another in the church.
3. Pray that God will purge the church from all actions and mindsets that are contrary to charity.
4. Pray that God will show mercy on all the ministers/pastors in the church for all wrongful actions, words, decisions taken ignorantly that might not have helped the cause of Christ.