Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 4: The Bible: God’s Inspired Word!”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
One of the first motorized cars I remember driving was the antique car ride at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember stepping on the gas and taking off. At that age, I embraced the challenge to keep the car from bumping on the center rail that guided you around the course.
This was fun when I was young, but as I got older, similar rides at other amusement parks began to be a bit boring and frustrating. Why? Because the car was too limiting. The speed would only go so fast…no matter how much you pressed on the accelerator. The car would only turn so far left or so far right before you would bump up against the rail.
But why wouldn’t they let me drive the car all over the park? Why couldn’t I go wherever I wanted?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for…correction.”
The Scriptures provide the limits on faith and life where God says, “To this point you shall go and no further.”
We can look at that in two ways. Either we will appreciate the safety of limits or rebel and do all we can to get around, avoid, or run over the limits.
But like the ride in the park, it might seem fun, but will not end well.
The servant of God desires and welcomes correction. Giving correction is loving to protect our soul and our lives from unnecessary hurt and burdensome and eternal consequences.
Consider this wisdom of God through the pen of King Solomon: (Proverbs 12:1-3)
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Want to be thoroughly equipped for every good work? Allow the Scripture to be the rails that guide you through life. Welcome the correction for it keeps you on track.
And finally, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for…training in righteousness.”
Training is intense. Ask any athlete who desires to perform at the top of their sport. Training takes commitment…daily. Training takes sacrifice. Training takes focus. Training is not easy. Training takes stamina. Training takes mental grit to not give up.
Now apply that to our lives of faith.
Do we approach it with the same intensity as athletics, or a passive hobby we engage in on weekends? I’m afraid it’s more the latter than the former (Forgive us Lord!).
The Apostle Paul put in this way:
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Satan is looking to devour us. The Spirit of God is looking to equip us. Choose the Spirit of God as your trainer! Accept his correction and daily spend time in the Scriptures…let God’s Spirit be your trainer in righteousness…so you might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Apply: Simply make a commitment to take in the Word of God daily to prepare you for the opportunities of the day and take another step in the lifelong training regimen to be a servant of the Lord God.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me to serve you. Thank you for the correction your word of Truth gives and the training in righteousness you provide. AMEN.