12-04-2013

Good Morning All,

    2 Timothy; “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”

       There were times when my sons were much younger that there would be times of a lot of physical work that I did on the farm.  After a couple of days it would catch up and I would lie down and take a nap.  Sometimes it would be a very deep sleep.  A couple of times I would hear them whisper, “is he still alive?’  “Poke him and see if he is still alive.”  “He is breathing so he is still alive.”

    That might have been a little overstated but they were only about 7 and 4 and 2 at the time.  Yet they knew that if there was breath then there was life.  They learned that early on the farm.  They saw animals that were alive and they saw animals that were dead.  The ones that were breathing were alive; the ones that weren’t were dead.

    Usually when we read this verse, we use it as a proof text for stating that the Bible is inerrant, that is without errors.  The Scriptures are God’s possession and they are perfect and true.  Yet this verse really says much more than that.  The Scriptures are breathed; they are full of life and power.  The Bible isn’t just a book it is the active power of God in our lives.  It is not just a historical recounting of events and of moral platitudes; it is how God works in our lives in order to change our lives.

    The Bible is God revealing himself to us.  We see a loving patient God who desires that we live as his people. Even as he deals out punishment, it is that the punishment is more painful to God than to us.  We see this clearly when we look at the Son of God hanging on a cross dying so that we might live.

    The Spirit uses this life filled Scriptures to give us hope, to give us peace, to give to us that certainty of our salvation.  We know that what we have will ultimately triumph over all obstacles.  There are times when we feel its sting as we live our lives in selfish modes.  Yet the unmistakable grace is always present, bringing us back into the loving arms of our Savior.    

    All Scripture is breathed out by God, the same breath that created all that there is; breathes life and hope into us.  God’s Word is the powerful tool that we use to fend off the arrows of the devil.  We know the devil’s lies by reading, studying, hearing and trusting in God’s living truth.  We see God leading us and directing us by giving us His power through his living Word.  It is the very living presence in our life.

Gracious Father, you reveal yourself to us in your living Word.  You speak and creation shudders; you speak and our sins are forgiven.  Give us the comfort of your mercy that we may live the life which you want us to have.  Lead us to see your truths revealed to us in your Word.  Be with those who struggle with life and do not know the truth.  Guard them by your powerful Word and bring them safely home to you.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret