I just finished reading a news article that shared a recent religious survey. It confirmed what many of us are so aware of, according to the survey most people no longer know what they believe about God, they pick and choose what they want to believe from the Bible. Just like me I know this concerns you too.
I ‘m praying this summer Refresh Life will encourage you to be serious about studying God’s word. We all need to take on the job of helping others discover what they believe. I challenge each of you to study the following verse this summer:
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15(NIV)
"Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple". 2 Timothy 2:15 (The Message)
The "word of truth" in the verse above refers to the Bible. It is important that this point is clear. Now we can consider the following questions: Are you willing to do your “best” to really study and know the truth in the Bible? Remember that “best" means of the highest quality and excellence” To do your best requires a commitment of time and a willingness to be whole hearted in your pursuit. This commitment will require us to make a choice to say no to certain activities that compete for our time and keep us from the best.
Are you willing as the verse says to humble yourself and to really work at this? We don’t always feel like working. Working takes effort and discipline. God desires us to work hard at studying and knowing his words. He wants us to be able to use his words correctly for ourselves and in the lives of others. God’s words are powerful and we need to know how to use them correctly.
Read 2 Timothy 2:15 again. Are you willing to prepare yourself to be presented to God ? I don’t think we often consider presenting ourselves before God saying “Here God I’ve prepared myself for your service." God desires to use us in others lives every day. The verse says he doesn’t want us to hide and be ashamed instead God is willing to teach us; giving us all wisdom and understanding of his Word. We then can come before him and say “Lord I’m ready, use me!”
Will you present yourself as one “approved”? A workman who was “approved” was one whose work was already proved to be genuine and pleasing;full of integrity.
Will you take the challenge?
-Eileen
