November 30 2011

Study What?
 
Reading: II Timothy 2:15, “Study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Did you know that based upon Revelations 20:4-6 it is impossible for there to be a pre-tribulation rapture? Before you throw the devotional book down because you disagree… take some time to read the passage. Don’t just take my word for it. This devotional is not to convince you that there is or is not a pre-tribulation rapture. It is to serve a much deeper purpose and that is to encourage you to study and to know what the Bible says. Often, we study or read the Bible just to the point that we agree and then we stop. Our mentality is, “See? I found it… the passage that says what I agree with.” Why do we have such a difficult time with those who disagree with us and what the Bible says? Can you imagine what Christianity would look like if, instead of agreeing to disagree, or instead of constantly arguing with one another because of our disagreements, we actually decide to sit down and study it out to see what God has to say about the topic? Instead, we go by what we already know is in the Bible, instead of digging deeper in the Word or we go by what we have been told, and it just so happens that we agree with that. Proverbs 27:17, says, “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Sharpening iron takes some friction but in today’s Christian world we don’t push each other deeper into the Word to sharpen us because of a difference of opinion. As soon as there is friction due to a difference of opinion, we part ways. Men, let’s be men of the Word of God. Let’s, through our disagreements, sharpen our swords to become stronger warriors together. It will take a measure of humility to let the Bible simply say what it says, instead of making it be what you want it to be. I hope that when you read the first sentence, it made you want to pull out your Bible, read it and study it; instead of close the devotional book and be done with it. If you wanted to study, you’re already on your way and, if not, don’t study my words, study HIS.

How can you find or make time to study, not just read, the Word today?



Who can you seek out with whom to study a topic on which you may disagree?
End of the Day Review
  
Were you able to seek someone out with whom you may have disagreed and agreed to study the Word together on the topic in question?
 
 
Did you make time to study the Word of God today?