Tag: God-breathed
God-breathed Scripture
Scripture reading for September 21st: 2nd Timothy 3, Psalm 39, Proverbs 3
2nd Timothy 3: 12-17 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The psalmist knew that his life was short and very ephemeral. He asked God to reveal his end and the measure of his days. Jesus revealed to mankind God’s offer of eternal life in God’s presence. God’s Word makes us wise for salvation–the forgiveness of our sins and restoration to God’s forever family. Paul told Timothy to receive Scripture as breathed out by God Himself. Through the Word, each believer, especially those called to preach and teach, would find all that they needed to equip them for ministry and a life of good works. God’s teaching that is kept, according to Proverbs, brings forth lengthened days on earth and peace. It is profitable to seek out and apply the Sacred Scriptures! Pass it on!
Psalm 39:4-5 “”O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.” Behold you have made my days as a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for breathing out Your Holy Word and having those You chose to write it down for us. Thank You for preserving Your Word! Help me to remember that heaven and earth will pass away, but Your Word lasts forever. Thank You for revealing eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Use me today to share this Good News and equip Your people for every good work.
Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
Profit from Scripture!
Scripture reading for January 14th: 2nd Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:12-17 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Paul reminded Timothy over and over that those following Jesus and applying God’s Word to their lives would not be universally loved and accepted. The world was full of evil and people under evil’s influence and deception. This would increase as the world population increased but should not affect how believers lived. They must hold on firmly to the basic truths of Scripture. God breathed out the Scriptures and through them man can become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Scripture is profitable for reproof–addressing wrong-doing and sin, for correction–changing course, and for illumination of our path through this increasingly evil world. God’s Word will equip believers for every good work and brings eternal profit!
Psalm 119:14-15 “In the way of Your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring suffering and teaching Your followers that suffering would come to them in an increasingly evil world. I will study Your Word and faithfully remind my brothers and sisters how profitable it is to become equipped and complete. Help me to rejoice when persecutions come.
Luke 6:22-23 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”
Wisdom for salvation and holy living
Scripture reading for October 4th: 2nd Timothy 3, Psalm 49, Proverbs 14
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:12-17 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The last days before Christ’s return would be marked by evil people, impostors and deception. Godly people would suffer persecution for following Jesus and His Word. This truth should encourage all believers to follow the truth taught by Holy Scripture and reinforced by those of faith who taught them. God wants His people complete and equipped for every good work. It is clear that we are now living in the last days!
Faith confession: I receive God’s Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, as wisdom for salvation and holy living, equipping me for every good work. I am thankful for those God has sent into my life to teach and model His Word for me.
Psalm 49:15 “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me.” Selah
Breath on Me!
Scripture reading for October 4th: Isaiah 25-28, 2nd Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:14-17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writing, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Paul told Timothy to hold fast to God’s sacred Word and profit by allowing it to make him wise for salvation. Not only that he was to use the Word to minister to others, equipping them for every good work. It is through the Word that we are brought into perfection and enjoy the peace of those taught by the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3-4 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.”
Prayer: Lord, I trust in You today. You are my Rock. Your sacred Word equips me for every good work. Breath on me today. Amen.
Thankful for the Holy Scriptures!
Scripture reading for December 12th: 1st Timothy 5-6, 2nd Timothy 1-3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:14-16 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Paul encouraged Timothy, a young preacher, to continue in the truth of God’s word. He was taught the Word by those who were eye-witnesses of Jesus Christ and wise because they knew the Word. He had also had the Old Testament Scriptures taught to him in his earliest years by his mother and grandmother. By doing this, he would be completely equipped for the good work of ministry!
Thankful for the food of God’s Word: “And He said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the House of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He gave me the scroll to eat.” (Ezekiel 3:1-2)
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for December 8th: 2 Timothy 1-4
The second letter of Paul to Timothy is widely believed to be the last written by the Apostle before his execution in Rome. His final words of encouragement to this young man should also be encouraging to us. We can easily be overcome by fear at the events unfolding around us.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7) Timothy came from good stock. His mother and grandmother were both Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. They were not timid but were filled with power and love because of their personal knowledge of God. Paul had sensed the call of God on Timothy and had prayed over him for God’s gifts. Timothy’s gift was that of pastor and teacher.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17) Paul warned Timothy of coming persecution and deception. The best life strategy was applying the word of God in daily living and ministry.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-2) Paul gave Timothy a simple charge: “Preach the Word.” The Word is always in season. It should be used to correct people, to rebuke those in known sin and to prepare for Christ’s coming. Take this simple charge to your heart today and let it move you to action! It’s the season to listen to reason!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for December 8th: 2 Timothy 1-4
The second letter of Paul to Timothy is widely believed to be the last written by the Apostle before his execution in Rome. His final words of encouragement to this young man should also be encouraging to us. Living in these last days requires focus. We can easily be overcome by fear at the events unfolding around us. Let’s listen with our hearts open to the Lord to Paul’s final words.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Timothy came from good stock. His mother and grandmother were both Jewish believers. They had faith which was alive in them. They were not timid but were filled with power and love because of their personal knowledge of God. Paul had sensed the call of God on Timothy and had prayed over him for God’s gifts to come forth. One gift was that of pastor and teacher. This gift involved preaching and teaching God’s Word.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Paul warned Timothy of coming persecution and deception. The best defense was continuing in the word of God. This is the word that was taught him by his mother and grandmother as well as his mentor, Paul himself. It is the best equipment for a man or woman of God.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” 2nd Timothy 4:1-2
The presence of the Lord with Paul and his understanding of God’s judgment of each person at Christ’s appearing caused him to give Timothy a simple charge. He told him to preach the Word of God. The Word is always in season. It should be used to correct people, to rebuke those in known sin and to encourage them to prepare for Christ’s coming. Take this simple charge to your heart today and let it move you to action! It’s in season no matter what time of year!