Tag: profitable
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.”