Tag Archives: scripture

October 24
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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

The reading, study, memorization, and recitation of scripture gives the disciple of Jesus the equipment to do good works.

If we blunder into situations with good intentions, but bad information and no tools, is it because we have not enrolled in the academy of the Holy Spirit to be schooled in both the word of God, and in the wisdom of God?

A report published in 2009 by the University of California, San Diego* says that nearly half of the average American’s day is devoted to consuming information, whether through television, telephone, radio, texting, on line searches, etc. . .

Assuming that we spend 12 hours of each day receiving information, how many hours of the 12 are spent being equipped for good works? Minute for minute, scripture is the best information available because, while it may not teach us how to make a living, it will certainly teach us how to make a life.  – Luther

* http://hmi.ucsd.edu/howmuchinfo.php
REMINDER: Daily Encouragement is on break tomorrow. See you again on Monday, Lord willing. Have a great day in Sunday services!

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August 5
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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

A while ago, I heard a podcast of a panel of bible teachers/scholars who were discussing the widespread lack today of “bible engagement” by Christians.  There seem to be many reasons — but no excuses — for why we keep the word of God at arm’s length, instead of embracing it, and becoming intimately familiar with all that it says. Paul’s letter to his protege Timothy reminds all of us of the primacy of both carefully reading and faithfully heeding scripture in the daily living of the Christian.

On this topic, Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) offered a thought worth pondering — and accepting: “Am I learning how to use my Bible?  The way to become complete for the Master’s service is to be well soaked in the Bible; some of us only exploit certain passages.  Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples.”

It is difficult to be a faithful disciple without also knowing the heart of the Person we have chosen to follow.  Holy scripture introduces us to our Father’s heart.  – Luther

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January 5
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“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. . .” (Psalm 1:1a, KJV)

There is a lot of bad advice out there. Some of it is “conventional wisdom.” Some of it is based on superstition.  Some of it is based on half-truths. All of it is beneath the disciple of Jesus.

The children of God have a higher, truer, more enduring counsel: The word of God.

Obtaining the counsel (advice) that blesses us, and those around us, is not difficult to obtain; but it challenges our resolve to spend time in the study of the holy scriptures.

Like an attentive father to his child, the Lord God will guide our steps toward everlasting life, peace, and joy; the things that ungodly counsel promises, but never delivers.  – Luther

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