Saturday September 21

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.” (New American Bible)

I remember as a young man someone introduced me to the most fiery woman preacher I had ever met in my life, Mrs Billie Deck.  She was truly a prophetess of Biblical proportions.  I have been honored to consider her my spiritual mom since that first meeting nearly 40 years ago.

At the time she was leading a small Bible study in her home with about 25 zealous young adults.  I sat on the floor in the middle of the group, feverishly taking notes on everything she said.  Suddenly she stopped preaching, pointed her finger at me and said, « Son, don’t ever lose your hunger for the word of God! »  And by the grace of God I never have.

The apostle Paul wrote to his young apprentice Timothy and told him to be eager to show himself as someone who had been fully tested and approved by God, a hard worker who had nothing to be embarrassed about when imparting the eternal truths of God’s word.  This exhortation is just as important today as it was then.

Everyone starts out their spiritual life as a baby in Christ.  We know enough about God’s word to receive His gift of eternal life; but everything else we need to learn.  When I was in elementary school, I learned how to take notes.  When I was in junior high, I took notes.  When I was in high school, I took notes.  And when I went to university I took more notes than I had ever taken before.  And I still take notes today.

I study the scriptures almost every day; and any time I am in a meeting where there is the teaching of God’s word I will be there taking serious notes.  I love God’s word and devour it at every opportunity.

I am amazed at the vast number of Christians who never take notes, never attend seminars, never do Bible studies, and never attend a Bible school.  Why would you give your life to Christ and pledge to follow him, and then NOT become a student of His word?  Yet that is the sad state of the majority of Christians in the world today. It is no wonder that we have so little influence on the world.

Your opinions and personal experiences will not change the world around you.  As important as they are to you, they will not increase your authority in the spiritual realm, nor increase your influence in heaven.  And as much as God loves to hear what you have to say, He prefers hearing what He has already said in His word.

I encourage you today to become a serious student of God’s word.  Learn how to study it; learn how to take notes on everything you hear. Go to every training seminar or Bible school you can.  Never stop studying; never stop learning; never lose your hunger for more of God and more of His word.