KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Ti 2:10 KJV But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Apostle Paul once again instructs that women must demonstrate godliness and be full of good works. This very instruction is a direct follow-up to his statement in the earlier verse where he tells women not to focus their attention on themselves by wearing very expensive dresses, costly ornaments and braids. In that verse, he advises that they be very modest. He then states further that they must focus on living a life of dedicated service.

Our Lord Jesus chose twelve men, and there were others who were added to his team of disciples. The bible said certain women ministered to him with their substances. Luke 8:3 KJV” And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” These women used their money to minister to the Lord. I believe they even cooked for the apostles and that the Lord as well. One may ask, were women involved in telling others about the saving power of the Lord? All these are involved in good works. I think it is just perfect for women to share the gospel as well. Act 18:26 KJV And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. This verse clearly states that the apostle Paul was instructed by this couple. Please note that he did not say only Acquila but used the signifying both husband and wife. In Rom 16:8, he writes in his letter to the Romans that Priscilla and Aquila, his helpers in the Lord, be greeted for him. How did they help him? They could have helped him in another way, such as financially or otherwise. What the scripture makes clear to all of us is that the couple rightly instructed him in the way of the Lord. I brought in Priscilla’s name because she is a woman and Apostle Paul had instructed that the women must learn in silence and not talk or teach in the church 1Ti 2:12 KJV “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”]

It is clear that if the woman is well informed, God would use her to teach the man who may be less informed. A typical example is when the Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene, who waited desperately, enquiring about where they had taken the body of the Lord. Please read John 20:1-14. The Lord appeared to her and said to her Go to His brethren and tell them He ascended unto the Father. Why did the Lord not wait for a man to go and announce such important news, but asked a woman to break the news to the men who were not diligent in waiting? God always makes use of vessels that are available.

What do we make of apostle Paul’s instruction to the women who must learn in silence and not teach in church? Apostle Paul’s instruction was right and perfect so long as those women did not have any special mandate from the Lord. If they have, then the men would even testify that they needed the ministry of such women.

THOUGHT: WOMEN HAVE A VERY SPECIAL ROLE OF SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, AND MUST AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THAT.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jdg 4:4 KJV “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”

Act 1:14 KJV” These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 2:9 KJV” In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame facedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”

Apostle Paul now instructs Timothy to counsel women to dress modestly. The Christian is not living unto himself or herself. The Christian is dead unto himself or herself, but Christ is presently alive in us. Everything we do must reveal Jesus. In what way would our dressing reveal Jesus? They must dress modestly. Ostentatious dressing only attracts people to ourselves. The worst of it is when the dressing becomes so sensual that parts of the body that must be covered are exposed. What message would a Christian lady send around if her breasts were exposed to the whole world?

Apostle Peter advices women to let their beauty be the inner man of the heart1Peter 3:3 KJV” Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”True beauty is in one’s character. Apostle Peter says the meek and quiet spirit is of great price before God. He suggests that the Christian lady must allow the word to dress her up by giving more attention to the word.

Dear child of God, always ask the Holy Spirit what do you has to say about my dressing. The Holy Spirit is our Lord and senior partner, and His counsel can open you up to so many opportunities( His presence on your dress can give you your future husband ). Certain favours would be coming your way because the Holy Spirit goes ahead of you since you listened to Him to approve or suggest otherwise. Please get me clearly, every occasion has its dress code. Just cooperate with him. You may ask, Holy Spirit, what is your view about this particular dress? You may do so if your mind seems to question that particular dress. He would always give you His candid view.

THOUGHT: ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY OF YOUR HEART, NOT ON THE BEAUTY OF YOUR DRESS

FURTHER STUDIES

1Pe 3:5 KJV “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:”

1Pe 3:3 KJV” Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 2:8 KJV I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

In our previous study on this very topic, we said lifting up holy hands is a posture in prayer which can be employed anywhere we pray in private or corporately. A brother said it became a rule at a particular fellowship that each time they met to pray, they must lift up their hands, even if they were praying for two hours. This could be quite enduring, and most people may not stand such strain on their bodies. The scripture did not say every time, but everywhere. It could be employed for some moments, but not all the time.

The last part of our key scripture said hands must be lifted without wrath or anger and without unbelief or doubt. These two virtues are very important. Anger has to do with an offence we hold against another person. The Lord says you can’t pray holding an offence against another individual. Our attitude or the way we handle our fellow men is so important to the Lord.

The Lord Jesus made the following remark about our relationship with people concerning our moments before God as follows: Mat 5:23 KJV “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;” He said at the presentation of your offering or sacrifice you remember that your brother has an offence against you leave that sacrifice and go make peace with that fellow. His whole
The point is that you can’t be at peace with God and be hurting your brother. In Isaiah 58, the chapter dedicated wholly to fasting states clearly that one’s fasting would be acceptable if he treats hIs neighbour very well. Men are in the image of God. You cannot claim you love God and seek to hurt men. To hold any grudge or anger in your heart against any person is like being angry with God, yet you are seeking an audience with Him; that would not work. First, forgive the person. If there is a need to talk and make peace with that person, just go ahead and settle things with him or her before you come to God with your prayer.

The second requirement for you to have a proper audience with God is to throw away every unbelief or doubt. You cannot get anything from God without faith. Many prayers have not benefited those who prayed because they were full of doubt. Please, I did not say God did not answer, but they did not obtain their answer. The scriptures teach that God always hears our prayers if they are prayed according to His will, and actually answers them because he said Call on me and I will answer you. It takes faith to receive any answer from the Lord. Mar 11:24 KJV “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” The scripture is so clear on this point. It said when you pray, believe that God has heard you, answered you, and so you have likewise received or you have possessed it. In this way, you can not be denied your answer.

THOUGHT: TO PLEASE GOD BE VERY KIND TO ALL PERSONS, AND TO BENEFIT FROM YOUR PRAYERS, BELIEVE IN GOD

FURTHER STUDIES

Lev 19:18 KJV Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Heb 11:6 KJV” But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 2:8 KJV” I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

Apostle Paul keeps instructing Timothy on certain proper behaviours in the church of God. This time, he tells him about a posture in prayer. He tells him how men ought to pray everywhere. This means prayer is not confined to any particular place. I am aware of Jehovah’s Witnesses because of Jesus’ statement in Matt 6, which instructs that, go into your inner chamber and offer your prayers, they are not comfortable praying everywhere. Prayer can be offered everywhere.

Apostle Paul added that when men are praying, they lift up Holy hands. Holiness is a non-negotiable standard of every Christian at all times. Without holiness, you would not have any audience with the Lord. Mat 5:8 KJV “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” This is the reason everyone has to repent of any wrong ways by confessing any known sin as we stand in prayer. Please note that the child of God is not a sinner and must maintain that upright walk. It is wrong for the Christian to have the attitude that he can be committing sin because he is a man. This is a very common deception of the body of Christ. We must always maintain the consciousness that sin is not part of us and has no place in our lives(Rom 6:14, 1 John 3:8,9)

Now, with the attitude of living an upright life, we must pray, lifting up our hands. The hands of any person are the instruments of our actions as well as the means by which we defend ourselves. The hand also stands for our strength. To lift them is a way of surrendering our actions and strength to God. An act that reveals total dependence on God. We have other postures of prayer, like kneeling, lying prostrate on the floor, standing up on our feet or placing the forehead on the ground. All these are ways we pose to pray, and they all show some form of dependence or humility before God.

To lift up hands in prayer was practised under the old covenant and is also acceptable under the new covenant. In Exodus 17, when the Amalekites came to fight the Israelites, Moses went up the mountain and lifted his hands to God. So long as his hands were up, Israel defeated the Amalekites, but when his hands dropped, they were defeated. Lifting his hand without uttering any word was seen before God as a prayer. Psa 141:2 KJV” Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” The psalmist calls it an evening sacrifice. Lifting the hands in prayer is a form of sacrifice. Many times, the hands get weary after a short moment of keeping it up, and so we drop it. Remember Moses’ hands staying up and the outcome. May we be disciplined to keep our hands up during prayers if we choose that posture in prayer.

THOUGHT: LIFTING HANDS BEFORE GOD IS A FORM OF SUPPLICATION, SACRIFICE, AND SURRENDERING UNTO HIM.

FURTHER STUDIES

Exo 17:11 KJV” And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Psa 134:2 KJV” Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD

KEY SCRIPTURE: Heb 2:10 KJV” For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

In our last study, I made a statement that when a man is born into Christ, he is transfigured into the very status of our Lord Jesus. Some have asked what this statement means. What kind of status of the Lord are we talking about? Before I get into the nitty-gritty of this matter, I would like to establish that our heavenly Father did not send the Lord Jesus to gather followers for Himself. He came to raise a family for the father.
People who are like Him in every way. We were not enlisted into the association of believers in Jesus, but were born into Him. The scriptures said that as many as believed in Him were given the power to become sons of God. Our birth as sons of God placed us in the family where our father is the almighty God. Heb 2:11 KJV For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. This verse means we and the Lord Jesus are from one Father. He calls us His brethren.

Now our key scripture teaches us that the Lord has brought many sons into glory. He did this through His death and resurrection. We were planted together with Him and raised together into the same glory. Romans 6:5. Now Romans 8:30 shows us how He did it. Rom 8:30 KJV Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Please note that our glorification with Christ in this context has already taken place. It is this state of glorification that has brought us into the status of our master Jesus.

What does it mean to be glorified? We can understand it by considering the glorification of our Lord Jesus. To be glorified is to be honoured, given authority, power and beauty. Rev 5:12 KJV” Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” This place is what believing in Jesus has brought us into..We are partakers of this glory. Please note that the Lord as God was already glorified. The glory and honour were won because of us. This has made us superior to demons, sin, sicknesses and all the works of darkness.

THOUGHT: JESUS RECEIVED GLORY TO BE SHARED WITH US

FURTHER STUDIES

2Pe 1:3 KJV” According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

Eph 2:6 KJV” And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

KEY SCRIPTURE 1Ti 2:7 KJV” Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 2:6 that our Lord Jesus gave his life as a ransom for all men. He also says that God has chosen him to be a preacher to all Gentiles. This was his ministry. Rom 11:13 KJV “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” He admits his special call and declares that he magnifies his office. To magnify has the following meanings: to praise, to celebrate, to impart glory, and to render it excellent. Apostle Paul says he attends to these calls with his perfect commitment. He means it is of premium dedication. He demonstrated this by sacrificing his life for the course.

Let’s consider some of the things he had to go through to fulfil this calling.2 nd Corinth 11:Much labours, abundant stripes above measure, more frequent in prisons, five times received forty stripes, three times beaten with rods, stoned once, thrice he suffered shipwreck, for a full day was in deep waters, perils of waters, perils of robbers, and a countless traumas that he had to face so he would fulfil this ministry of carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. ( Paul was told he had to suffer all these; you are not.)

The Lord has called every one of us to be witnesses of His gospel. Joh 15:16 KJV “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Dear reader, this message from the Lord is to each of us. Whether we would be successful or not depends on whether we magnify this call as Paul did, or we do not. Apostle Paul did not endure all that trouble because he was strong-willed, no. He did it because he decided to obey the task the master gave him. He not only decided but also committed himself to doing it. The next thing that happened to him was a reception of God’s grace. It was the grace of God that made Him so successful.
Grace only goes into action when we believe and commit ourselves to doing what we have been instructed.

Dear child of God, it is your turn to project the course of the gospel. Decide today that you will share the gospel with the rest of men who have not come into the knowledge of this glorious message. You may be asking what I say to them. Well, you need to learn the word yourself. Listen to evangelistic messages. On this very platform, I have shared lots of messages on how to preach or share the gospel with others. You can also share your personal testimonies with them. Yoy can read the messages on some gospel tracts and share them with your friends. The most important thing is to have a strong passion to see men saved from the power of sin. Stop considering your weaknesses, but rather consider the urgency of the call and the plight of the sinner, if he is to die in his sins. Love the Lord, love the lost sinner

THOUGHT: DECIDE TO BE A CARRIER OF THE GOSPEL, ACT ON IT, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD DO THE REST

FURTHER STUDIES

1Co 15:10 KJV “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

1Co 9:16 KJV “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Th 5:18 KJV” In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The Holy Spirit says we ought to give thanks in all situations. He then added, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus. Giving thanks is one of the acts that sends great confusion into the camp of the enemy. Satan’s number one agenda is to succeed in creating a very wrong image of God the Father. If he succeeds in doing that, then men have lost their only defence. They have no hope again. To be thankful always defeats the liar’s number one agenda. It is the greatest frustration you can give to him( satan)..Thanksgiving is the right protocol to approach the King of kings. ( Ps 100:4)One version of the bible says it is the password to assess the presence of God.

Many times, we are in a hurry to present our needs in prayer and even feel it is a waste of time giving thanks. Dear one, we must understand that the father knows all about our needs. Thanking Him is a way of saying that the Father has already answered the need.
Thanking God keeps us free from complaining or murmuring, and Thanksgiving stirs up joy in the heart. Joy protects the soul or spirit from being wounded by anxiety or worry. It is an agile spirit or soul that sustains a man’s infirmity or weakness. Pro 18:14 KJV The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

How can one lead a life of thanksgiving? Take some moments to think of God’s goodness to you. Reflect on the many answered prayers. You may list them down and write them out. Consider his general goodness like the free air we breathe, the sun that is our major source of energy, how our bodies function to drink, eat, talk, walk, or even laugh. How would one’s life be if any of these body organs stopped functioning as they should? A look at these things should cause you to be very grateful to the Lord. Some people do the very opposite by focusing on what they do not have to be constantly complaining. Anyone found on that web is caught up in Satan’s prison. Everyone in this life has something that is not readily available, yet having the Lord on your side has potentially given you all things. Psalm 23:1, from the living bible, says the Lord is my shepherd, and so I have everything I need. That is enough to make you deeply appreciative of the Lord. Be careful not to lead your life according to what you think others expect you to have. This can siphon any appreciation from your heart to make you worried and always complain.

THOUGHT: THANKSGIVING IS A MEANS THAT PLACES YOU IN THE REALM OF GOD’S ABUNDANCE

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 2:5 KJV” For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

Our key scripture shows us that our Lord Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. It ends with the phrase the man Christ Jesus( please note that although He is a man, He is yet completely God). What is the significance of this statement? Our Lord Jesus existed through eternity as the Word of God. John 1:1-3. In verse 14 of John 1, the bible said he took on flesh and lived among us, demonstrating to us the kind of life God has ordained for His children to lead. Heb 12:2 KJV Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ……….” He was finally killed and resurrected to give us the very life that reigned in Him. We have His example and then have received the very life force that worked through Him. This is what the scripture calls Christ in you, the hope of Glory. He ascended bodily into heaven, not to revert back to His state as the word of God, but in the form of man.

This is very amazing. Why is He still maintaining the form as a man? The first thing to consider is that this is an act of God’s grace that makes Him function in heaven as our representative. He is a high priest who makes intercessions on our behalf. Heb 4:14. As our high priest, He enforces the word of God that we declare. Be assured that when you speak in consent to what God says, there is your representative before God who approves and, with the permission of the Father, sends angels to do what you have said.

As our representative, we, the body of Christ, are seated in Him. He bears our name, and whatever authority He has is ours. Eph 2:6 KJV “And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” On earth, we also bear His name. There is an inseparable union between us and Jesus. His presence before the father has given all of us access to the presence of the father. We live on earth, but at the same breath, we are vitally living in heaven. If there are any people holding the highest authority on the earth, then it is you and me, the Christians. A lack of a perception of this makes a number of Christians pray without knowing the potency of their prayer. When you pray on the earth, it is just as the Lord Jesus whispering into the Father’s ears. Every prayer that is not of the flesh and said in Jesus’ name is always answered, because Jesus is there in our name. All that has been said above is just a bit of why Jesus is still in heaven in the form of a man.

THOUGHT: OUR LORD JESUS IN HEAVEN HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED WHO WE ARE IN THIS WORLD

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 7:25 KJV “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Heb 7:28 KJV” For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Ti 2:5 KJV “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

A man was asked how one religion could claim to be the only way in the face of the multiplicity of religions. He answered as follows. It all depends on the credibility of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who said He is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Him John 14:6.This Jesus said he had the ability to heal the sick, bind the broken-hearted and open blind eyes and set the prisoners free( Luke 4:18-20). He honoured every one of these promises. He said He would be crucified and on the third day resurrect from the dead. It happened as He said. This was proved by the empty grave as well as the Jews, who could not challenge the fact that the grave was empty. Jesus appeared to His disciples for a period of forty days, and the evidence was that these fearful, timid disciples were ready to die for what they claimed they had seen. What transformed them from fearful men to bold, fearless men? Finally, Jesus ascended into the heavens right before the eyes of these men.

Apostle Peter added to all these in 2nd Peter 1:15-17 that he has not followed cunningly devised fables when he made known the coming of our Lord Jesus, but was an eyewitness of His majesty and power. This incident refers to the Lord’s transfiguration on the Holy Mount, when Moses and Elijah appeared to Him. The greatest evidence of the credibility of Jesus Christ is the thousands upon thousands of lives that have been transformed or supernaturally healed in His name. Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. All other ways do not lead to the father, maybe to someone else who is not God, the creator, the one whom the Bible calls YAHWEH.

The first part of our key scripture says God is one. We do not have three Gods but one God who has manifested Himself as three persons. These distinct persons function for the salvation and preservation of mankind 1Pe 1:2 KJV “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” In this work of man’s salvation, the Son, who is fully God, yet fully man, played the role of offering His life as a man to die for men to make a perfect means of saving men. Jesus, our Lord, as a man, conquered Satan so all men could legally claim victory over Satan as men’s victory. Heb 2:14 KJV Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Dear one, this is your opportunity to make Jesus your Lord, if he is not

THOUGHT: GOD AS TRINITY MAKES A PERFECT BLEND FOR MAN’S SALVATION

FURTHER STUDIES

2Co 13:14 KJV” The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Isa 9:6 KJV “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.