I've been working through a bible study recently, and read the following verse as part of the study. This verse was not the point of that lesson, but it sure got me attention!! I love when the Lord gives me things just for me! I shared this with my friend in an email....
In my quiet time this morning I was reading in 2 Timothy 3. Verse 10 & 11 really slapped me in the face....
"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions,
afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me."
Paul is talking to Timothy and it struck me that he tells
him, you KNOW what I teach...you KNOW my "manner of life" (how I handle
things that come my way)...you KNOW my purpose (wow! most people don't
know their own purpose, but Paul says even Timothy knows what his purpose is - to
preach the gospel & glorify God)...you KNOW my faith (you know who I
believe in!)...you KNOW my longsuffering and love and patience...and he
links all this to the persecutions and afflictions...
and I'm thinking, wow. Paul was just a sinner saved by grace
like me...but I don't think I'd want to point out to those closest to
me these things in MY life because I know they'd think of the times I've
failed and criticized others and complained about others or
circumstances...and yet Paul wasn't bragging, he was confident -
confident that even though he wasn't perfect or sinless, that his
overall testimony was such that he could remind Timothy that he could
look to Paul's life as an example! So, that got me thinking...if I
can't do the same thing, than why not? Paul wasn't super-human. What
changes need to be made in MY life so that I could give the same
testimony??
Uh. I could have spent all morning in that chair, alone with the Lord. It was very convicting!! :)
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If you don't get anything out of your bible reading, I would suggest the following:
- Open your bible, but not randomly. If you don't know where to start, start in Proverbs. If today is the 25th of the month, read Proverbs 25.
- Before you read, ask the Lord to show you exactly what YOU need to see in His Word today. "Lord, help me to read your word; help me to see your truth - the truth you have for ME this today."
- Don't get overwhelmed. If an entire chapter seems like a lot, then just read the first 3-4 verses - just don't stop in the middle of a thought.
- Pray about what you just read. Ask yourself what is God trying to tell you - is he making a promise? bringing to mind some sin in your life? asking you to obey a command that he is giving?
- Ask God to help you see the opportunities to use what he's taught you as you go through your day.
