Good Afternoon Devotion :-) ❤️

shirleynpenalosa (63)in #christian-trail • 5 years ago

Instruction with purpose

Read 2 Timothy 3:1–4:22

14Remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. . . . 4:2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. . . . 5Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.2 Timothy 3:14-17; 4:2, 5

Little League coaches know that very young ballplayers have to use a tee to learn how to bat before they can swing and hit pitches. Surgeons have their interns watch procedures before they let them pick up a scalpel. Parents of budding violinists endure hours of squeaks before enjoying the beautiful notes of a school orchestra. Practice makes perfect—or at least makes things better.

The same principle applies to spiritual growth. Believers cannot get better (become more like Christ) without regularly studying God’s Word and applying it to their lives. That is why Paul tells Timothy about the Bible’s usefulness in teaching what is true and right. As you read, evaluate your “practice” schedule.

Also in this passage, Paul gives a glimpse of the future. Life on earth does not look good for Christians, but Christ will return soon and take us to a better place.

God gave the Bible so that people could learn to love and serve him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A lot of the study and learning we do in life aims to make us smarter or more knowledgeable. That will happen when we study the Bible, but it’s not the main reason that God gave us his Word. God wants us to change our thoughts, behavior, and character.

Some people use their knowledge of the Bible only to win arguments or to make themselves look clever. Besides missing the aim of having such knowledge, they become worse people, not better, by falling into pride (see 1 Corinthians 8:1-3).

Never flaunt your knowledge of God’s Word. Study the Bible to learn how to live, not to win an argument or to show somebody up. Seek to know Christ and learn to do good.

(Source: from ms. @catietan's devotional materials)

Good afternoon everyone here, my fellow sweet and grateful steemians, uloggers and faithful prayer warriors. First, I would like to give thanks to God for this opportunity here in the office to spend some time for this afternoon devotion. I'm blessed to share with you this devotion and I'm so happy to be able to use a functional keyboard at the moment. Praise God! And another thing that I'm thankful to God is my good friend's generosity and faithfulness in sharing her devotion with me. In return of the awesome gesture, I want to share the blessing of each devotion and so I'm sharing it here today.

This devotion is about being faithful in putting the instruction into practice. We as believers should put into action the things that we've learned from God's word, the Bible. Not because these instruction have purpose but because we obey them in response to the faithfulness and goodness of our God. Because of His goodness and faithfulness, He gave us His word, the Bible, which is full of clear instruction of how to be Christ-like. We follow His example of being loving and generous God, a good and faithful God.

"14Remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." We've read from these verses the blessings of being faithful in obeying God's word.

"The same principle applies to spiritual growth. Believers cannot get better (become more like Christ) without regularly studying God’s Word and applying it to their lives. That is why Paul tells Timothy about the Bible’s usefulness in teaching what is true and right. As you read, evaluate your “practice” schedule." We should always be reminded of these truths/facts and as Christians, we are to invest not only for our physical growth but all the more see to it that we are also spiritually nourished thru regular Bible reading, quiet time and devotion. It is not enough to have this routine if we don't apply the things we learn from the Bible.

I am also reminded to walk my talk and not to live a double standard life or else I am putting my life testimony into jeopardy, thus staining God's righteousness before everyone who knew and follow my example. And as a result instead of pointing them to God, I am drawing them away from Him because of my flawed testimony.

Lastly, we should always remember this "Never flaunt your knowledge of God’s Word. Study the Bible to learn how to live, not to win an argument or to show somebody up. Seek to know Christ and learn to do good."

Good Thursday afternoon everyone & having my early p.m. snack here in the office :-)❤️

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I am @sashley a.k.a. shirleynpenalosa, a recipient of God's love, mercy and grace. :-)❤️

Have a blessed and happy month of December 2018 everyone :-)❤️

I am forever grateful to God every day of my life for giving me everything that I need and praise Him all the more for not giving me everything I want. To God be all the honor, praise and glory ❤️ :-)

(thank you sis @sunnylife)

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