“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” 2 Timothy 2:7
January 19, 2023
Is your mind engaged when you read and study the Bible? It has to be if we are going to get the full value of Scripture. Too many Christians already live in Bible deserts where churches, if they exist, only give a surface treatment to the Scriptures. Paul, in writing to his understudy, Timothy, compares followers of Christ to soldiers, athletes, and farmers. Then right on the heels of that he is admonished to think and meditate on these truths. The point is that, as Christians, God empowers us to not be whiners, but to endure hardship. Stay in your lane and press on for the rewards of faithful service. We have responsibilities to carry out. However, let’s not by-pass the challenge to understand. The Bible is a clear book. It is not written in code. We don’t need scholars to tell us what it means. It is a source of much needed truth on how to live in a God-pleasing way. There are, indeed, passages that require special effort to grasp. But the problem is not with the Bible. It’s our minds that have been damaged by the effects of sin. We have to dig in. Hopefully, you have a church that treats the Bible seriously. God has provided the gift of teachers. Find teachers who are loyal to the Scriptures and let them help you. But most of all learn to think in a Bible way.
H
“Lord, I want this coming year to be one where I can go to new heights in growing stronger in the faith as I learn how to meditate on your Word.”