Proverbs 15 - 1.15.25
Scripture
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Observation
Far too often I replay conversations in my head and think, “Why did you say that??” I wish my brain was faster, to catch the words before they come out. But the bible says it is not a brain or a tongue issue, it is a heart issue. Matthew 12:34 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Application
As I read Proverbs 15 this morning, I was convicted. Verse after verse talks about the power of the tongue.
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
I want to be someone who edifies and builds up others. I want to exercise control and give a gentle answer and calm a quarrel. I want to speak wisdom and truth. I want to glorify God in my words and my actions. And that requires work on my heart. I need to spend time bathing myself in God’s presence. I need to ask him to search my heart and root out the sinful thinking. I need to stop and ask for forgiveness the minute something comes out of my mouth that does not glorify him. There are many things that don’t need to be said – but they don’t need to be thought either, and that is where I must fight.
Prayer
Lord, please forgive me for the sin in my heart. I cannot love others and speak truth unless you are in me and with me every minute of the day. Please fill me and change me and use me as an ambassador for you.
- Debbie Dunn
2 Timothy 4 - 1.14.25
SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 - 5
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
OBSERVATION
Paul is writing to Timothy to provide important instruction as a leader in the church because he knows his time to leave this earth is near. You can tell by his writings there is a great importance to what he’s writing about. According to historians and what is written in verse 6, many believe 2 Timothy is Paul’s last book written in the Bible. In verse 6, Paul specifically states “the time for my departure is near.” Here is the context of 2 Timothy 4:6 – 8:
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Realizing this was probably Paul’s last writing, it gives more importance to what he’s writing about. He wants to impart the most important topics to Timothy. Within the context of verses 1 – 5, the ones that hit home in my heart is to “be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” and verse 3 which seems to really apply more today than ever: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.”
APPLICATION
Paul “charges” Timothy to “preach the word” because he knows a time is coming when people would reject “sound doctrine.” Somehow it seems hard to believe that people back in Paul’s day could be just like the people today where they reject sound doctrine, and follow teachers that suit their own desire and “say what their itching ears want to hear.” Boy it sure does sound like the people of today! It really seems like people, deep down, have not changed much since the beginning of time.
With false teachers abounding now and back in Paul’s day, he knows the only way to combat the false teaching is by being prepared in the Word, preaching the Gospel, and to “correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” The goal was to reach people for Christ but also to guide them in their walk. Although the “correct, rebuke and encourage” might come easy after being prepared in the Word, using great patience and careful instruction might be the challenging part if the person you’re speaking with is turning to myths and listening to false teaching. During those moments, it’s important to remember that having patience and providing careful instruction is equally important as the correction, rebuke and encouragement. The first part can’t work without the second part and visa-versa.
Paul’s charge to Timothy is just as relevant today as it was when Paul wrote this book. God is so good that this scripture comes during our prayer and fasting time. Second Timothy 4 gives us the reason why our prayer and fasting time is so important to being prepared, ultimately to help those who are being misled by false teaching. When we’re strong in the Word, in our faith, in our relationship with the Lord, that’s when we can help others in various ways – not only with being misled but in strengthening their faith and walk in Christ. The bottom line is having God’s Word as an important part of our daily life. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and to know what’s important as a believer. Forgive me for not always being prepared. Help me to grow in you and to always be ready, in season and out, to preach your Word, and to guide, gently correct and encourage others. It’s so important to be ready to share your Truth because there are so many who are lost and believing false doctrine. You desire all to come to your saving knowledge. Help me to be your instrument and guide me in your ways. In Jesus name! Amen
- Mary Oberg
2 Timothy 3 - 1.13.25
Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Observation
According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible is God-breathed, which means it was written by human hands, but was written by inspiration of our living God and Holy Spirit. It is still relevant for today.
There’s power in His Word. It truly is our sword when doing battle with the enemy. (Ephesians 6:17). It also feeds us, instructs us, corrects us and grows us. It is very much alive and active today and not just a history book from the past.
Most importantly, we learn about the character of God. His Word is about the Greatest Love story ever told! Everything always points back to Jesus!
Application
Read the Bible everyday. Meditate day and night on it, like King David did. (Psalm 119:97)
“For the word of God is alive 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.” -Hebrews 4:12 NIV
In order to experience the transforming power of God's Word, we must read it, study it and APPLY it to our lives.
As James says in ch. 1:22-24, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
Where can you start if you haven’t made Bible reading a daily discipline yet? Join us with our Bible reading and SOAP journal blog everyday. In order to SOAP Journal, Pray before reading the Word, asking the Holy Spirit what He wants highlighted. Then, read the passage and allow it to marinate and transform your life through the SOAP method.
SOAP stands for:
Scripture- What Scripture verse or section of the passage stood out to you?
Observation- What does the passage say? Give a summary of it.
Application- How can I apply it to my life? What am I going to practically do about it based on what I just read?
Prayer- Write a prayer based on the reading and what God spoke to you through His Word.
I encourage you all to try it. We’d love to hear what God is speaking to you in the comments. Being in God's Word is a discipline that is vital to every Believer's life. Here’s the link:
https://www.desertstreams.com/bibleandjournal
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect Word. Thank You for men and women of faith who have and are dedicating their lives to read it, study it and apply it in their personal lives. I pray that if we are living a life contrary to Your Word, that You would bring us back to the Truth. I pray we would continually meditate on Your Truth instead of the lies that the enemy and the world throws at us. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.(Ps. 119:105). Please continue to direct our paths through Your Word. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi