TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
The samurai warriors of medieval Japan believed their swords had spiritual reality and power. These swords were always with them, from birth to death, whether in the bedroom or on the battlefield. Those who made the swords approached their craft as a spiritual endeavor, fasting, praying, and even wearing priestly white robes. They mixed and hammered layers of hard and soft steel to forge swords that excelled in both sharpness and strength. To the warriors, these swords represented their honor.

We should take the “sword of the Spirit” with equal seriousness, for its truth and power come from God. Today's reading describes the “armor of God,” by which we put on His strength rather than relying on our own (v. 10). Spiritual warfare is real, for the Devil is scheming how to put stumbling blocks in our path, and if we trust in ourselves to fight these battles we will surely fall (vv. 11-12).

The sole offensive weapon in Paul's extended metaphor is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Under house arrest at the time that he wrote Ephesians (v. 20), he may have been using his guards as a visual reference as he described the belt, breastplate, shield, sandals, helmet, and short sword.

While a typical Roman soldier also carried a spear, these guards wouldn't have needed one for this assignment, which probably explains why there's no spear in Paul's picture.

Hebrews 4:12-13 uses the same vivid comparison. In these verses, we understand that God's words are dynamic, purposeful, and powerful. They penetrate and judge us accurately, leaving no room for hiding or self-deception. They wound us with razor-sharp edges when we harbor sinful attitudes or actions.

Because God is the Author, His Word is effectively linked to His omniscience, wisdom, and right to judge. This truth should inspire in us humility, respect, and gratitude. The live words of a live God are a very great gift!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you have never before memorized Hebrews 4:12, today is a great time to start! If you feel overwhelmed with idea of Scripture memory, try at least one phrase a day.

The verse reads: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1789, a group of mutineers put their officers on a longboat, took control of the H.M.S. Bounty, and sailed to Tahiti to enjoy a comfortable life. Fearing punishment, some of them, along with several Polynesians, later moved to uninhabited Pitcairn Island and burned the ship so there would be no evidence. Despite the South Pacific paradise-like setting, sexual immorality, jealousy, anger, alcohol, and disease took their toll until there was only one Englishman, ten women, and many children left.

The remaining Englishman, Alexander Smith, discovered a Bible in the ship's goods, and thankfully, the next-to-last man had taught him to read before he died. Smith studied the Word, decided it held the answer to the community's problems, and initiated Sunday worship and daily prayer times for the remaining people. In 1808, an American ship happening upon the island was surprised to discover a thriving group of 35 English-speaking Christians.

The power of Scripture can transform lives! As we learn in today's reading, the Word has an important role to play in spiritual rebirth and sanctification. The reading begins with a moral imperative found throughout the New Testament: “Love one another deeply from the heart.” This should be the natural result of purity and obedience (1:22). This pursuit of holiness and love should in turn spring from our salvation, which is linked with the message of salvation, the gospel (1:23; James 1:18). Being born again is a spiritual and eternal event (John 3:5-6), and the Bible is a spiritual and eternal revelation. Much more than a “good book,” it is the “living and enduring word of God,” as Isaiah had also proclaimed (1:23-25).

After being spiritually reborn, we are to “grow up” in our salvation (2:2), progressing from spiritual infancy to maturity, as displayed in increasing love and righteousness. Our motive is greater intimacy with God (2:3; cf. Ps. 34:.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Born again” is a popular phrase, but not everyone knows what it means. Do you? It means that when a person trusts in Jesus for salvation from sin, he or she essentially starts a new life as a new person.

But without that trust, the Bible says you are “dead in your sins” (Col. 2:13). There's nothing you can do to save yourself. If you've never trusted in Jesus, let today be the start of your new life!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Kings 22:3-20
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. - 2 Kings 22:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
A Scottish scholar working in New York found a previously unknown drawing by Michelangelo. Sifting through storage boxes at a Smithsonian museum in 2002, Timothy Clifford found a drawing of an elaborate candelabrum that he was sure was by the master Renaissance artist. “It was just as I recognize a friend in the street or my wife across the breakfast table,” he said, and leading art scholars have concurred. The museum director said, “The manner in which the drawing was discovered is straight out of a children's storybook.”

A similar story is found in today's reading, when a copy of the lost Law was discovered during Josiah's temple restoration project. Josiah was the last godly king before the Exile. Since he took the throne at age eight, his mother Jedidah should probably be given much credit for putting her son on the right spiritual path. The young king dedicated his life to the Lord at age 16 and began campaigning against idolatry at age 20 (2 Chron. 34:3-7). Jeremiah and Zephaniah also prophesied during his reign.

By the time of the events in today's reading, Josiah was age 26. A collection had been taken for repairing the temple, and the king put the priests in charge of making renovations. During this project, they discovered a copy of the lost “Book of the Law,” which may have been the entire Pentateuch or at least the book of Deuteronomy. When had it been lost? Perhaps Manasseh or Amon, Josiah's predecessors, had tried to destroy all copies in their thoroughgoing wickedness.

Hearing God's Word, Josiah responded with repentance; tearing his robes showed grief over the nation's sins. Deuteronomy 28 would have been quite clear about why God was angry with His covenant people. Thanks to Josiah's humble and responsive heart, revival came to Judah and the prophesied judgment was delayed (vv. 16-20). God's Word changes hearts, and changed hearts change history.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Creating a specific, personal narrative about one impact Scripture has had in your life can help you remember the power of the Word. It need not include a “torn robe,” and the story can be told either through speaking or writing.

The narrative might tell about a discovery, or perhaps a problem with a solution, or conviction of sin, or comfort in grief, or one of the many other powerful functions the Word performs in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-8
Everything created by God is good . . . because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:4-5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Working in the early 1970s, engineers Irwin Lachman, Ronald Lewis, and Rodney Bagley designed a catalytic converter for automobiles. The ceramic converter, with which almost all cars today are equipped, turns toxic fumes into water vapor, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. In the last 30 years, this device has kept an estimated three billion tons of pollutants out of the atmosphere. Last spring, President Bush awarded each of the men a National Medal of Technology. Fighting environmental pollution is part of our stewardship of creation. Analogously, the Bible fights spiritual pollution in our lives as believers.

Since God's Word is true, anything that deviates from it is false. Through Paul, the Spirit warned the church about false teachers, who “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (v. 1). Clearly, part of spiritual warfare is discerning truth from error. These false teachers earned a harsh description—“hypocritical liars” with hardened consciences (v. 2). What teachings deserved such strong words? Legalistic prohibitions against marriage and certain foods (v. 3).

Since God's Word is holy, it consecrates not only marriage and food, but also “everything God created” (vv. 4-5). God's purpose is that we enjoy His created blessings, receiving them as blessings with thankful hearts. We believe and know the truth that He is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). To reject this is not merely a “lifestyle choice,” but blasphemous opposition to His purposes. This truth is integrally connected to a godly life and must be clearly taught by pastors and elders (vv. 6-8).

Despite the Fall and gnostic heresies, God's material creation remains “good” and “very good” (Gen. 1). The truth of the Word gives us the right orientations: first, a grateful focus on the Giver rather than the gift; and second, a submissive attitude to the King rather than a possessive or self-centered attitude toward His world.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are your mealtime prayers getting a little routine, even stale? Today's verse might inspire you to freshen them up! You might sing a hymn sometimes instead of praying.

Or you could keep a basket of missionary picture cards on the table, picking one each dinnertime to remember in prayer. Another idea is to use a book of prayers (if you usually pray spontaneously) or pray spontaneously (if you usually use a book or set form)

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 119:9-16
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
When a friend persuaded campus pastor Ben Patterson to join two other men in memorizing the Book of Revelation to recite at a Sunday evening service, he was nervous. What if he forgot the text? Would people be bored? Instead, for two-and-a-half hours, a thousand people listened, riveted by the “unplugged” Word of God. Later he and the others did the same with Mark and Romans. Writing about his experiences in Leadership Journal, Patterson said, “My thoughts are most certainly not God's thoughts, but in learning to say a passage, his thoughts may become my thoughts.”

For believers, the Bible holds unique significance and authority. This is a principle that most of us would say we agree with, but our practices sometimes don't match what we say. As individualistic Americans, we may not even realize what we're doing when we reserve judgment for ourselves, excuse ourselves from obedience because different opinions exist, or prioritize subjective feelings over solid interpretation. Such habits of thought and action tend to leave final authority in our hands rather than with the Word or the Holy Spirit.

Today and for the rest of the month, we'll be focusing on our responses to the Word. Important as it is to identify the Bible's essential qualities, as we've been doing so far, we want to apply this theology at the level of everyday life (cf. Rom. 15:4). The writer of Psalm 119 had the same goal, so he opened today's reading by reminding us that the key to righteousness is obedience to the Word (v. 9). He treated God and His words as essentially the same, as seen in the parallelism between God and His commands in verse 10. Obedience—treating God's words as authoritative—keeps our way pure and protects us from sin (v. 11).

In this spirit, the writer praised, meditated on, considered, memorized, and rejoiced to follow the Word, and he prayed for God Himself to teach him and help him obey. Understanding, doing, and delighting here go hand in hand!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many times in the Old Testament we find the Scriptures being read aloud in a public assembly. Sometimes reading the text aloud can make us pay attention and convey its dynamic power better than silent reading.

In your personal or family devotions, we invite you to try this—read an entire book of the Bible aloud. For this first effort, you may want to choose a shorter book such as Ruth or Philippians.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 8:4-15
The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart. - Luke 8:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his personal Scripture reading, John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, had good days and bad days. As he wrote in his autobiography, “I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick, or rather my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.”

The Parable of the Sower shows us a range of responses to God's Word (vv. 4-8a). It shows us how much our responses really do matter—what happens to the seeds illustrates the destinies of people who react in different ways to the message of the kingdom. As a master teacher, Jesus used familiar images to reveal spiritual truths in such a way that prepared sensitive hearts to receive them (vv. 8b-10). When His disciples didn't understand, He graciously interpreted it for them (vv. 11-15).

“The seed is the word of God,” or generally, His revelation. Like a seed, the Word has its own life and power and needs only the right conditions to grow and flourish. This metaphor is used elsewhere in the New Testament, for example, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, where we learn that God assigns different aspects of “cultivation” as He pleases. He is the one “who makes things grow.”

Four types of soil, which represent responses or choices, are described: (1) people who hear but don't understand; (2) people who show only a surface faith, since testing proves its rootlessness; (3) people who seem to believe but their “faith” is strangled by earthly priorities; and (4) people who listen, believe, persevere, and bear fruit (live righteously). One commentary says that “noble and good heart” (v. 15) is an adaptation of an ancient Greek phrase meaning the whole person. This indicates that a true believer has an undivided heart toward God, which results in great growth and fruit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you wish, make plans for this spring to reenact today's parable in your backyard garden. That is, take seeds and plant some on hard ground, some in rocky soil, some among thorns, and some in good soil. This could be a family project, perhaps including progress reports and photographs or other tasks suitable to the ages of the children in your life. It will spur everyone to reflect on the spiritual truths behind Jesus' concrete illustration.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy. - Revelation 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
The world's largest published book has 112 pages, weighs 133 pounds, measures five-by-seven feet, and comes with an easel for display. Featuring photographs of the isolated Asian kingdom of Bhutan, it sells for $10,000 per copy, with the profits going to educational projects in Cambodia and Bhutan. Author Michael Hawley of MIT designed the book using digital image technology, and worked with a printer on the unique binding arrangements. It's not for bedtime reading, he said, “unless you plan to sleep on it.”

An impressive achievement, but still “small” compared to the glory and grandeur of the Word! Today's verses open the final book of the New Testament canon, also called The Apocalypse—a word meaning “unveiling” or “disclosure”—because it deals with events of the end times. At the time, the Roman emperor Domitian was promoting a cult of emperor worship and had initiated a general persecution of Christians. For his missionary activities, the apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos (1:9), where he saw this vision about 95 a.d., toward the end of his life.

Verse 1 tells the theme, purpose, and means of revelation for the book. The theme is Jesus Christ. In truth, all revelation is of Him and for Him. The purpose is to reveal things to come. The word “soon” indicates imminence, that is, the events surrounding Jesus' Second Coming is the next major event on the biblical timeline. It might also indicate swiftness, that is, once these things start happening they will happen quickly. Knowledge of these matters was so important that God sent an angel to help John understand. In verse 2, John swore to the book's truth as the words of God, not men.

Verse 3 is a blessing and exhortation to the reader (cf. 22:7). “Blessed” suggests God's favor, giving us deep spiritual contentment and joy. “Take to heart” means to “heed” or “guard,” implying respect and obedience. We should always live today as if Christ could return tomorrow-because He truly could!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
From today's verse, we encourage you to read through the Book of Revelation in a single sitting. The sweep of the end times and the culmination of God's plan for history found in these exciting and vivid pages may become more real to you as you read it all at once You'll definitely receive a blessing and be challenged to take the words of John's vision to heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 17:1-14
They . . . examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. - Acts 17:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch kept Narnia in a never-ending winter. When Aslan and the four children freed the land, an early sign was the appearance of Father Christmas, who spread good cheer and gifts to all he met. He gave Lucy a flask of healing oil, Susan a bow and horn, and Peter a sword and shield emblazoned with a red lion. These gifts proved very useful in the rest of the story and also appear in later books in C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series.

God knows how to give good gifts to His children, and in fact “every good and perfect gift” comes from above (Matt. 7:11; James 1:17-18). The Bible is one of the chief among these gifts. That's why it's so important for us to be able to handle it correctly (2 Tim. 2:15). Careful study is an excellent response to God's Word, one we see commended in today's reading.

On Paul's second missionary journey, he preached to the Jews in Thessalonica. The majority of them responded with jealous hostility, driving the apostle out of town. He went to Berea, only about 50 miles away but a world apart in attitude. They genuinely wanted to know the truth, even though if Paul was right it would change their world forever. In order to judge whether his message was true, they checked his interpretations against the Old Testament with open hearts and minds. As a result, many of them did indeed trust in Christ!

The Bereans' studious attention to Scripture not only led to acceptance of the truth, but also exhibited their “noble character” (v. 11; cf. Luke 8:15). Paul himself served as a model. He had studied the Scriptures carefully. That's how he could walk into a local synagogue and prove that Jesus was the Messiah—it took three Sabbaths to go through the evidence! He preached the Word elsewhere as well, as we know from the fact that both Jews and Gentiles came to faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This coming Sunday, follow up on the sermon like a Berean! That is, study the Word diligently to confirm that what your pastor says is true. Remember, the purpose is not to find a mistake or misstatement so that you can call him to complain or criticize, but rather to humble yourself before the Word's power so that God can change your mind, heart, will, words, and actions, and so to cultivate the “noble character” of the Bereans.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Then all the people went . . . to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known. - Nehemiah 8:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
“What would you do for one million dollars?,” writer Beatrice Kanner asked Americans as part of a recent book project. Sixty-five percent would live on a deserted island for a year. Sixty percent would serve six months in prison for someone else. Ten percent would “lend” their spouse for the night, and another 16 percent would consider doing so. For ten million dollars, 25 percent would desert their friends or church, and 7 percent would even commit murder.

What about ourselves? This is a soul-searching question, revealing where our values lie. When the Spirit and the Word search our hearts, what do they find? Sins that displease God, most likely, but the good news is that they not only find the disease but also bring the cure. Righteousness and revival can be brought about through the power of God.

The historical context of today's reading is the Israelites' return from exile. Ezra, a priest and rabbi, arrived in Jerusalem about 458 b.c., apparently with a copy of the Pentateuch in his possession. When Nehemiah arrived as governor some thirteen years later in 445 b.c., he got things organized enough to proclaim a public Scripture reading on October 8, 444 b.c. Today known as Rosh Hashanah, this was a special day—New Year's Day on the Jewish civil calendar, the start of the Feast of Trumpets (see Num. 29:1-6).

On this occasion, Ezra read aloud and the people “listened attentively” for about six hours (v. 3). The Levites moved among them, explaining and interpreting what was said (vv. 7-8). The people stayed standing as a sign of respect, raised their hands to exhibit praise, bowed down in humility, and wept from conviction of sin. Nehemiah, though, ordered the celebration to continue, as there would be another day for confession and repentance (Neh. 9). Their greatest reason for joy is explained in today's verse—they now understood God's Word!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you can, recall about ten biblical commands and list them on a sheet of paper. (If you can't, search until you find at least ten.) Then, as the Israelites did in today's reading, allow the Word to search your heart. How obedient are you to these commands? Do you understand them fully? Do you obey wholeheartedly or grudgingly? If there is an area of disobedience, are you praying for strength against temptation?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 8:26-39
Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
“If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for the women of China,” said Lottie Moon. Based in Qingdao, she ministered through education and personal evangelism, while surviving famines and fighting poverty that plagued the region. A letter published in an 1887 mission journal inspired the “Lottie Moon Christmas Offering” that continues to this day and has raised more than one billion dollars for world missions. She explained to a colleague: “We must go out and live among them, manifesting the gentle, loving spirit of our Lord. . . . We need to make friends before we can hope to make converts.”

The Word of God is the starting point for effective witness. Often in the New Testament, “word” is a synonym for the gospel message, a reminder that Scripture is not just a doctrine for study by insiders but good news for proclamation to outsiders. This principle was vividly on display in an encounter between Philip and an African court official. The royal treasurer of Ethiopia was apparently a proselyte to Judaism, or at least a religious seeker, for he had gone to Jerusalem to worship. As a Gentile and a eunuch, he occupied a low position socially speaking from a Jewish point of view, yet in this episode God pointedly reached out to him in love (see Deut. 23:1; Isa. 56:4-5). He sent an evangelist to a desert road to intercept his chariot and explain a messianic prophecy.

Philip found the eunuch reading from Isaiah 53 (vv. 32-35). Although a messianic interpretation was not common for this passage at the time, Jesus used it of Himself (Luke 22:37), and the Gospel writers also recognized it as speaking of Christ (Matt. 8:17). The eunuch didn't understand about whom Isaiah was writing, but Philip gently explained from Scripture the identity and mission of the Messiah. The official's heart was more than ready. He responded in faith to the good news, was baptized, and “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you might expect, based on today's study we encourage you to do something in the area of witness. In a “seeker study” or “investigative Bible study,” for example, we do what Philip did with the Ethiopian treasurer—read and explain Scripture to someone who's already interested. Do you know anyone like this, someone who's searching for truth and meaning? With the Spirit's help, approach them soon and offer to study the Word with them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 1:6-9
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night. - Joshua 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Olympic archer Jenny Nichols, competing at the Athens Games in 2004, gave all the glory to God. Inside her quiver were Scripture passages, about which she said, “I memorize or recite them while I practice and then during tournaments, when I get nervous or my head gets too much into the game, where I'm worried too much about my results, I'll start reciting these verses.” Ranked number one on the American women's team, she added, “I want it to be like worship to him. I give God my best, but if that doesn't measure up to what other people are doing, I have offered my best. And that is all he wants.”

Memorizing and meditating on the Word are important spiritual disciplines. As the leadership of the Israelites during the Exodus passed from Moses, and God Himself commissioned the new leader Joshua, the repeated theme “Be strong and courageous” was very appropriate (vv. 6, 9). Joshua had big shoes to fill and the people stood on the verge of major military challenges, but God promised victory and the inheritance of the Promised Land. Trusting in God's words was crucial, especially in light of the fact that Moses was ineligible to enter the land precisely because of his disobedience to a previous word from God. No wonder, then, that the Lord reminded Joshua and the people of the necessity of obedience and fulfilling their covenant obligations (v. 7).

The theme of obedience links naturally in turn to the idea of knowledge—people can't obey what they don't know (v. . Joshua needed to keep the Law in his “mouth,” an allusion to the practice of reading Scripture aloud, either individually or in a congregational setting (see Jan. 18). “Meditate” literally means to “mutter” or talk to oneself. Continual meditation indicates a process by which head-knowledge becomes heart-knowledge (cf. Ps. 1:2). As we need to digest food to sustain ourselves physically, so we need to digest the Word to walk rightly with God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The word “meditate” is not well understood by modern Christians, but hopefully today's devotion has been helpful on this subject. The key is to understand that unlike Eastern meditation, which empties the mind, biblical meditation fills the mind with Scripture. In that spirit, schedule a time and place for meditation and take along a Bible and notebook. “I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees” (Ps. 119:48).

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Read: Titus 2:1-8
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. - Titus 2:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
William Tyndale learned the doctrine of justification by faith by reading Erasmus's Greek edition of the New Testament. Though denied permission to translate, it then became his lifelong passion to make the New Testament available in his native language of English. He completed his translation in Europe and had it smuggled into England, where it faced fierce opposition from the government and established church. Living in Antwerp, Belgium, he began translating the Old Testament as well, but in 1535 was betrayed into the hands of the law. Condemned as a heretic, he was strangled and burned at the stake.

Tyndale paid the ultimate price for his devotion to God and His Word. As we've read, obedience is an essential response to the Bible. The complementary truth is that our obedient actions verify and exalt the truth and power of Scripture.

Paul wanted sound doctrine taught (v. 1), but interestingly he elaborated on this idea not in terms of propositions but rather virtues. While there's no reason to think the virtues are exclusive, he presented them in categories appropriate to specific groups—older men (v. 2), older women (v. 3), younger women (vv. 4-5), and younger men (vv. 6-8). Addressing specific audiences is not meant to divide but to unite. The older women should teach the younger women, for example, and Titus should be a model for the younger men.

Verse 5 is our key: “so that no one will malign the word of God.” When younger women live godly lives as described here, this promotes the gospel; otherwise, godless actions speak louder than any words. The virtues listed include love, self-control, purity, kindness and submission. Similarly, Titus is to live righteously so that outsiders will have “nothing bad to say about us” (v. 8; cf. 1 Tim. 3:7). This principle applies across the board, that is, when we live to please God, He uses our obedience to bring honor to His Word and glory to Himself (v. 10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In which season of life described by Paul are you? “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1).

Take another look at the verses in this passage written specifically about you. How would you apply them to yourself? Pray over them, asking God the same question. As He leads you into what steps you should take, tell someone to whom you'll be accountable, and go do it!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 15:1-9
Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? - Matthew 15:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent study conducted by UCLA found that 79 percent of American college students said they believe in God. Only 28 percent reported praying daily, however, and just 40 percent thought it was “essential” or “very important” to practice religious values in everyday life. Eighty percent thought that nonreligious and religious people could live equally moral lives, and 64 percent thought that people can grow spiritually without being religious.

Many of today's college students give religious faith lip-service only. That's not at all the kind of “obedience” God is looking for. Rather, we are to love and obey Him wholeheartedly (cf. Luke 10:27).

The Pharisees are a negative example of shallow, outward obedience. It's all too easy to read today's passage and think to ourselves, “I'm glad I'm not like them” . . . but Jesus told a parable about such an attitude (Luke 18:9-14). Part of the point is that the Pharisees were blind to their own insincerity, and we need to understand that without the Spirit and the Word we would be blind as well.

The Pharisees' question was actually an accusation or self-exalting comparison (vv. 1-2). It referred not to the Law but merely to traditions developed after the Babylonian captivity (and written down as the Mishnah about 200 a.d.). As usual, Jesus' answer penetrated beneath the surface to a core spiritual issue—genuine obedience (vv. 3-9). Scripture commands us to honor our parents, but they had found a “loophole” to excuse opposite behavior. Tradition had apparently taken Numbers 30:2 and applied it in a way directly opposed to God's clear command. This should have been a clue to its sinfulness, but when people want a thing they are remarkably good at self-deception.

“You hypocrites!” Jesus judged, and quoted Isaiah 29:13--16 to wake them to their spiritual deadness. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Let's review our month's devotional study up to this point. Try making two lists, one of qualities of the Word and one of our proper responses to the Word. Then take a look back through the relevant Scripture passages and add them to these lists.

Which three items speak to you most powerfully or you think are most important? Why? Ask the Spirit to help you to respond as you should to the Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Peter 3:10-18
In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. - 2 Peter 3:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Athanasius, a fourth-century Egyptian church leader, played a key role in fighting against heresies relating to Christ's Incarnation. Specifically, he refused to compromise with Arianism, which claimed that the Son had not existed eternally and thus denied His full divinity. This idea distorted the doctrine of redemption. Spending years in exile for his battle for orthodoxy, Athanasius wrote influential works on theology and the desert hermits, and ultimately his defense of Christ's nature was recognized as truth.

Standing up for scriptural truth is not easy but it is essential, especially in light of Christ's return. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief,” said Peter, that is, quickly and unexpectedly (v. 10; cf. Matt. 24:42-44). This teaching and the epistle's imagery are not sensationalism at which we gawk. Peter wrote it “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior” (3:1-2).

Living as if Christ could return at any time directly shapes how we must walk as believers (vv. 11-15). Aware of the temporary nature of things as they are and looking forward to a new heaven and earth, we can anticipate and in some mysterious way “speed” God's plan. More concretely, we should live “holy and godly lives . . . [making] every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” Despite the coming judgment on sin, God's patience as He waits for the full number to come to faith proves His love (v. 9).

False teachers “distort” or twist this foundational truth. They are “ignorant and unstable” and have chosen “their own destruction” (v. 16; cf. 2 Cor. 4:2). Paul's letters are here put on a par with “other Scriptures”—a key point in itself. But even more important is the implication that interpreting the Word is a matter of both knowledge and actions. This should challenge all of us to judge our knowledge and actions against the Word.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Modern tools that can help you become a “good workman” of the Word and avoid the errors of the unbelievers mentioned in today's passage include Bible study software and Web sites. Programs such as Accordance® and Web sites such as www.online-bible.com or www.ccel.org can be of great help. The latter is the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, with an especially helpful “World Wide Study Bible” feature that connects passages with multiple translations and commentaries.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 4:9-16
Command and teach these things. - 1 Timothy 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to Moody Alumni magazine, Dr. Ron Sauer, MBI Greek professor since 1987, “is known to arrive at school very early to sit at the feet of the Father and study the Bible.” He is also well known on campus for his insightful devotions that open classes, and in 2004 he was presented with the Faculty Citation Award. As one student said, “His ability to teach, coupled with his deep passion for the Lord, inspired me to excel both in the classroom and in my devotion to Christ.” Dr. Sauer is a model Bible teacher of the sort described in today's reading.

The foundation of our faith and hope is Christ (vv. 9-11). The salvation He accomplished is not only a theological affirmation, but He Himself is the living God, a Person whom Paul loved and served. Paul exhorted his protégé Timothy to “command and teach these things” to his congregation in Ephesus.

As a pastor and Bible teacher, Timothy had two main responsibilities (vv. 12-14). First, he was to practice what he preached—not only to “talk the talk” but to “walk the walk.” Second, he was to build up the body of Christ, as opposed to grandstanding for personal glory or gain. Both of these responsibilities were to be carried out in humility, remembering that his gift was not an innate ability rooted in individual talent, but instead had been given to him by the Holy Spirit, as signified by the elders' laying on of hands.

This calling was so important that Timothy was to “give yourself wholly” to it (vv. 15-16). Keeping a close eye on his life and doctrine was very necessary, for as a leader he deeply affected the lives of those under his care. This spiritual mandate was not changed by the low cultural expectations caused by his relative youthfulness, or any other factor that might be an excuse. As Paul later wrote to him: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We may not all be gifted as preachers or teachers, but we should all be participants in a local church. Therefore, we all have preachers and teachers ministering to us, and the flip side of Paul's exhortation to be a good pastor is a question for ourselves: Are we good followers? That is, do we submit, honor, respect, and encourage those who minister the Word to us? Perhaps most important, we need to pray diligently for them as they have an awesome responsibility.