Learning DAILY

 

2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

 

This past weekend Dr. Ed Newton, the pastor of Community Bible Church, spoke about Ezra reading and preaching from the first five books of the Bible.  Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people had completed the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 8 records that men, women, and children who were gathered to listen to Ezra were attentive to what he said and stood out of respect for God’s Word.  Nehemiah 8: 6 records the reaction of the people, “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.  Then all the people answered ‘Amen! Amen!’ while lifting up their hands.  And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” This took place from morning to midday (v, 3) which was a six-hour time period.

 

What is it about the Word of God that these people would be attentive to what was read and said over six hours?  Ezra was no doubt preaching and teaching exerts from these five books written by Moses.  Six hours!  Which among us does not get tired of listening and begin thinking about where we are going to eat as soon as the preacher gets done speaking?  And heaven forbid if the service (music, announcements and preaching) goes longer than an hour.

 

Dr. Newton made this statement, “God’s Word is timeless; it is inexhaustible.  It is the greatest love letter ever written!”  I almost asked for every reader to reply to me in a survey to how many times you have read through the Bible.  I decided against that.  In his letter Timothy told us to be diligent in studying the Scriptures, God’s Word.  Studying God’s Word is the only way to understand what it says “in order to accurately handle it”.   David Jeremiah’s Commentary Bible says, “The approved worker handles the Word with precision and care, as a master craftsman would his or her materials.”

 

2 Timothy 2:15 is not a suggestion for Christians; it is a command!  The Bible does not just contain the Word of God – it is the Word of God.  That’s why Dr. Newton speaks of the Word of God as the “greatest love letter ever written.”  It is written to each of us to encourage, correct, teach doctrine, and instruct in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).  This does not happen without being dedicated, disciplined, and committed to spending time in God’s Word. The take away statement from the weekend’s service was this: In order to be obedient to God’s Word there has to be an understanding of God’s Word, but there can’t be understanding of God’s Word, if one doesn’t spend time in God’s Word. (Nehemiah 8:18 says “day by day”).”

 

Ezra was trying to create an attitude of deep longing for things of the Lord found in the Bible.  This blog attempts to create a hunger for God’s Word.  Each time I open it up I find new and relevant teaching.  “It is timeless, never loses relevance and is inexhaustible!”  What is written in this blog is to encourage you to dig into God’s Word for yourself, to study and allow it to get deep into your life in order to be doers of the Word, to live the rich and rewarding life that God desires you to live – one that is “obedient, approved by God and handles accurately His Word”.

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