Verse of the Day 2/16

2 Timothy 2:15  Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Yesterday's verse challenged us to teach the full counsel of God, which would require that we know, study and learn how to apply His Word.  As I was writing and finishing that devotional today's verse came to mind.  I especially like the Amplified Bible here where it says "study and be eager".  How many of us would use these words to characterize our desire to know and follow Him better, more completely?

 

The word for accurately or rightly dividing literally means to "cut straight".  If you've ever done any woodworking, from building a deck, framing a house or making a cabinet or table you know how important it is to have straight boards.  Many will have to be trimmed or planed in order to line up with another.  If we build a deck or lay a floor with warped wood, everyone will see it.  So it is with our understanding of God's Word.  If it is warped or doesn't line up with "the full counsel of God" it is warped and will show.

 

This morning, Pastor Greg Laurie's weekend devotional was on the subject of such study.  I'll close with a few words from him.

 

"If you want to learn about God and His ways, then learn to study this wonderful book God has given to us, the Bible. It is the user's manual to life. It tells us what is right and wrong and what is good and evil. It tells us how to live, how to do business, how to have a successful marriage, and much, much more.

 

But most importantly, the Bible tells us how to know and walk with God. In fact, everything you need to know about God is found in the pages of the Bible. That is why Abraham Lincoln said of the Bible, "All of the good from the Savior is communicated through this Book. All things that are desirable to man are contained in it."

 

If you agree with Abraham Lincoln that "all things desirable to man are contained" in the Bible, will you spend more time in studying it, cutting straight boards to build your faith?

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

2 Timothy 2:14-16
New King James Version (NKJV)
Approved and Disapproved Workers

 

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.