Friday April 1, 2022

Today is Friday, April 1 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about growth in discipleship.

I begin this day with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I quiet my mind and still my body. I breathe slowly and deeply as I focus on the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Steadfast and Holy God, I long to hear the message you have for me. I seek you in the quiet of the morning and ask you to help me recognize your voice. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s loving kindness and his faithful care for me with the words of Psalm 62.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8

Pause and Pray

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is an earnest pastoral letter from an older veteran missionary adorned with plenty of bumps, bruises and wisdom to a younger colleague struggling to pastor multiple growing congregations. Timothy is striving to preserve his churches from destructive influences attacking from without and within. The views of the surrounding secular society misleads the people. Dissenters and false teachers within the church confuse the people. In order to lead well, Paul encourages Timothy to turn to God’s Word. Timothy has known these sacred writings from childhood, they are inspired by God, taught by people he trusted and should be adhered to in every generation, including mine.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

I consider the times I am uncertain or confused about what I believe on a certain topic. Like Timothy’s people, I also struggle with the voices of secular society and discordant beliefs within the larger church. Paul’s advice for Timothy is advice for me too. To continue in what I have already learned and in my convictions. I recall the many people in my lifetime who taught me the scriptures and passed on the faith. I thank God for parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders, and friends in the faith. I know the holy scriptures and believe they contain all that is necessary for salvation. I rejoice that they make me wise through faith in my Lord Jesus. I study the bible fervently – believing it is God-breathed and useful, equipping me for every good work.

Ask: Who are the people in my life who inspired me to read the bible and taught me the faith? How am I passing that gift on to the next generation and teaching others?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, thank you for your holy word and the wonderful privilege to access the Bible any time I desire. I treasure every moment I spend reading scripture. Teach me your ways, instruct me in the faith, convict me, correct me, train me in righteousness, grow me in competency, and equip me for work in your kingdom. I read the words from Second Timothy again and listen for the message you have for me.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what specific circumstances in my life this passage of scripture informs. I listen carefully for God’s wisdom and guidance in my particular situation. God wants to use scripture to direct my life and enable me to mature in the faith. I endeavor to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit. I reflect on how the bible has been my help and guide in the past. I consider how often I turn to scripture in the present. I wonder how God may use the bible to guide my future. How might God want me to increase the time I spend in his Holy Word, searching the scriptures?

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, speak to me through God’s Holy Word. Fill my mind, touch my heart, inspire my spirit, correct my wrongdoing, strengthen my convictions, and affirm your truth. Stay with me Jesus, open the scriptures to me and let my heart burn within me as I read your Holy Word. Amen.

“Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So Jesus went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:29b-32

As I leave this time of prayer, I go renewed by God’s Holy Word, intent to share the truth of the Bible and teach the next generation the faith of Jesus Christ.

Amen