Tag: AllScripture

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Through & Through

This morning my thoughts went to a Scripture I had memorized as a child in Sunday School. It made an impression on me because of one word. The word was thoroughly.

I’m not sure why I was so intrigued by that word, but I was. And as I sat here this morning that word came up in my heart with the same intensity that it had all those years ago.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary the following words are synonyms that can be used in place of, but keep the meaning of, thoroughly.

  • completely
  • comprehensively
  • detailedly
  • exhaustively
  • fully
  • roundly
  • systematically
  • through and through
  • totally

Now that you know the background, let’s look at the verses I’m referring too.

“and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:15-17 NKJV

Timothy was a young man and Paul, the Apostle, was mentoring him in his walk with Christ. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were godly women who had raised him to know the Scriptures. Paul was reminding him of the importance of that early upbringing.

This is also a good reminder to all of us. It is through the Scriptures that we obtain faith for salvation. It is also through God’s written word that we have the pattern for godly living.

God never intended for us to attempt this lifestyle on our own. No, to the contrary, it is through the instruction of God’s word that we are complete and thoroughly equipped. We are changed from the inside out, through and through, systematically, totally, comprehensively fitted for every good work.

WOW!

On those days when you feel like quitting, giving up and giving in you are thoroughly equipped. in those times when you are discouraged and disheartened you have been systematically and totally undergirded by the power of Almighty God.

“ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

We were created as a masterpiece of the Father’s love. He planned for us to do good things.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

I hope this has been an encouragement to you today. You are totally, completely, fully, exhaustively equipped through and through by the power of God’s word!

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History Is Important

Yesterday was a celebration of our history. I saw some beautiful images of firework displays around the country. An explosive end to the birth day of our great nation.

Remembering who we are and where we came from is important. Remembering the names of the men and women who fought and died as a part of history is crucial. The battles fought, the victories won, the defeats they overcame all have significance.

History is important to the Lord also.

All through the Old Testament the nation of Israel was told to remind their children of how the Lord delivered them from Egypt and brought them to the promised land. They were also taught to remember the patriarchs of the faith – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – who were the ones that saw the Lord prosper them with lands and livestock, riches and prominence.

Israel was taught to remember the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The Lord didn’t want this people to forget that He had made promises to them. History is important and especially the history that God puts forth in Scripture.

As a society, we seem to think we have evolved; we’re wiser, more sophisticated, more educated than the early founding fathers of our nation. “We hold these truths to be self-evident” aren’t just ancient words on a page, they are the foundation of our society and need to be revered.

There are also some who think the simple truths of God’s word aren’t applicable anymore but that is also incorrect. That’s the same line of thinking that caused Adam and Eve to disobey God. “You don’t need to obey what God said because He knows if you eat of the tree you will be just as smart as He is”, you know how to make decisions for yourself.

God’s word is God’s word, whether it’s the begats or the chronology, the Laws given to children of Israel, the warnings of the prophets or the letters in red spoken by Jesus. It’s God’s word!

It’s truth and should be the basis and foundation of our daily living. We shouldn’t let traditions from the past, the ideas of current society or even the teachings of religion distract and divert us from standing strong on the Word of God.

Paul gave this instruction to Timothy.

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 Phillips

ALL Scripture – not just some, we don’t get to pick and choose but all Scripture will make us fully equipped for life!

History is a teacher, guiding us, instructing us, protecting us from making costly mistakes. We have a history from the beginning of time of God’s faithfulness, mercy, love and protection. Let’s never forget all He has done!

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Needing Support

Last night a memory came to mind. It’s coming on the end of summer and when we lived in Montana that meant it was time to harvest the apple tree.

The branches of this tree were heavy laden with fruit. I would have to place wood posts under the branches to hold them up and keep them from breaking. But that’s not the only support this tree needed.

The wind in Montana seems to never stop. So, the folks who planted the tree tied it to a very sturdy post to keep if from blowing over when its trunk was young and easily bent . Those ropes were still providing it with support when we bought the home some years later. We left them in place.

Maybe you’ve felt like that apple tree, in need of support. I know I have.

As children we are nurtured and supported by our parents, grandparents, teachers at school, coaches and loving friends. They are there to give us instruction, correction and guidance. They pick us up when we fall down. They help us develop and begin our journey in living fruitful lives.

As we grow older, we still need a support system. Loving family and caring friends are a priceless treasure but even then, we have dark days when we feel alone. That’s when we need the support that only the Father can provide.

“You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:7-9 CEV

I’m sure each of us can remember a time when we were without hope, feeling wind-blown and insecure. But then we experienced a strength and grounding that only the Lord could give. We might not have recognized it as such, but it was the Father’s help just the same. It could have come as the kind words and prayers of a friend or perhaps, just an inner strength and determination that kept us tethered. God has a way of providing us with what we need in those times.

“Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. 16 Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:15-17 CEV

His word gives us support and instruction, instruction that will keep us strong.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

There is no more reliable and sure counsel, no other place of unfailing support than what we will find in God’s presence and in His written word!

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I Know…

I know:

  1. the artist of this wonderful landscape
  2. the author of the world’s best seller
  3. the world’s largest cattle rancher
  4. the wisest man in the world
  5. the most compassionate person to have ever walked the earth
  6. Him and I call Him Father

Some times we get so focused on what we don’t know we forget to center in on Who we know.

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

When feelings of inadequacy come, and they will, it’s important that we are firmly established in who we are in Christ.

The Apostle Paul writes that we are complete in Christ, having everything we need!

He couldn’t have written this if it weren’t true. That’s the thing about the Bible, every verse is true. God doesn’t allow any exaggeration, half-truth, misrepresentation or bald-faced lie of His word. He pointed these things out everytime someone acted in such a way.

“You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. These Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. 17 Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:15-17 ERV

God’s word provides us with all we need for every situation but there is one catch. Ready? We have to read it to know what’s in it. Simple but true.

“My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” Hosea 4:6 NLT

Let’s put it this way. If someone put $10,000 in your checking account but you didn’t know it, you would continue to operate on the balance you thought was available. But once you went on-line to view your account or received your statement in the mail your outlook would be entirely different. You would probably contact the bank to verify that the deposit was actually meant for you and not fradulent but once assured of that you would spend and/or save the money because it is rightfully yours.

God has given us something so much greater than that. He has given us Himself and placed all of who He is in Christ for our benefit! Reading His word gives us that knowledge.

There’s one more thing I feel you should know before I close:

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

And now, you know too!

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