7 DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH GODLESS MYTHS THAT OLD WOMEN LIKE TO TELL. RATHER, TRAIN YOURSELF TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE.
8 TRAINING THE BODY HELPS A LITTLE, BUT GODLY LIVING HELPS IN EVERY WAY. GODLY LIVING HAS THE PROMISE OF LIFE NOW AND IN THE WORLD TO COME."
1 Timothy 4:7,8 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
• The text of this teaching is an admonition given by Apostle Paul to Timothy the first bishop of the church of Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:7,8).
- Most of challenges faced or encountered in life by a believer or minister are meant to be a training for godliness; to shape and change and smoothen the rough edges, the defects that may be found in the life of the believer or minister.
- Effective leadership would be a mirage If you are not properly trained or groomed or allowed to go through, the circumstances and challenges of life.
- Those challenges and problems are the things that would mould and shape you into the right person who is suitable for the purposed assignment.
- A sport man or woman without a proper training would surely not be a candidate for winning a medal in any tournament: (1 Corinthians 9:24,25,27).
• Discipline is needed for the training. A sport person, an athlete or whoever, would discipline himself or herself, denying the self, the body, a number of things, pleasures and food that would not help his or her body and whatever, in order to be physically fit for whatever tournament ahead, that they may win medals.
- The muscles of a sport person who trained not would be flabby or feeble—weak and ineffective. Likewise a believer or a minister who lacks a proper spiritual training, exercise, would have a flabby or feeble spiritual muscles.
- Apostle Paul said he discipline himself:
24 DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THOSE WHO RUN IN A RACE ALL RUN, BUT ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? RUN IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN IT. 25 AND EVERYONE WHO COMPETES FOR THE PRIZE IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A PERISHABLE CROWN, BUT WE FOR AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN. 26 THEREFORE I RUN THUS: NOT WITH UNCERTAINTY. THUS I FIGHT: NOT AS ONE WHO BEATS THE AIR. 27 BUT I DISCIPLINE MY BODY AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION, LEST, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BECOME DISQUALIFIED" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV).
• The pattern or method of training:
I. Word intakes or taking in of the Word of God—acquiring of knowledge.
- One of the major ways through which a believer or a would-be leader or minister would be taught and trained is through the consistent taking in of the Word of God.
- Someone who believed he or she has the call of God on their lives should have a strong craving for knowledge. It is one of the basic qualities that a believer or minister or would-be leader in the ministry should possess.
- Your level of Word intakes determines your exploits in the ministry work. The reason being that, the knowledge of the Word of God makes wise and strong: "A WISE MAN IS STRONG, YES, A MAN OF KNOWLEDGE INCREASES STRENGTH" (Proverbs 24:5 NKJV).
- The knowledge of the Word of God makes you have the understanding of God, and It is those who know their God, who understands Him, and are always strong and do exploits: " . . . BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL BE STRONG, AND CARRY OUT GREAT EXPLOITS" (Daniel 11:32 NKJV).
- Consequently, as a believer or a minister, strongly desire knowledge and invest in acquiring It.
- Invest your money, time, or what have you, to equip yourself through the Word of God. Buy books, listen to teachings, attend seminars or school of ministry, both online and physically.
• Note: in knowledge acquiring, you connect to your choice; the right proven ministers of the Word who speak the Word that are relevant to your situation. You should connect with the messages of those whom you are stirred to follow.
- Some so-called spiritual teaching are not edifying, they are for those with itching ears, who wanted to listen to teachers or ministers who teach or tell them what they want:
3 FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN DESIRES [and not according to God's desire], BECAUSE THEY HAVE ITCHING EARS, THEY WILL HEAP UP FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS; 4 AND THEY WILL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, AND BE TURNED ASIDE TO FABLES" (2 Timothy 4:3,4). - Some believers do not want the teachers of the Word who would rebuke them through their Teachings: "PREACH THE WORD! BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON. CONVINCE, REBUKE, EXHORT, WITH ALL LONG-SUFFERING AND TEACHING" (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV).
WHOEVER would rebuke them with teaching, they would not want to listen or read the books of such a minister. - Read the books and listen to the teachings that would edify you, move you closer to God, and not trashy messages.
- Take time to read the Bible, the Word of God, extensively. You cannot walk intimately with God without the knowledge of His Word. The primary way to know God and have the understanding of Him is through His Word—the Bible.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- If you are having any ailment in your body as you read this piece, I declare your healing now in Jesus' name.
- The affliction comes to an end and it will never rise again in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!
Note:
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