Weekday Devotionals
Thrive Devotional - Written by Tony Tolvo
VERSE:
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 KJV
Thought:
This past Sunday, as Pastor Pete was teaching on the Growth Principles for Personal Study and Prayer and Fasting, I was reminded of the above verse from 2nd Timothy.
The passage goes on to describe two First Century personalities that had not rightly divided the word of truth and had spread “Vain Babblings” that will “increase unto more ungodliness” and would even “overthrow the faith of some.”(2Ti 2:16-18)
It’s hard to imagine anything more shameful than to be called out by Paul the Apostle and have your error preserved for all the world to see for the rest of time.
When we set out on a journey of personal study of the Scripture, God promises to reward our efforts.
“…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6 KJV
“…behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Pro 1:23
Need more promises? Psalm 119 has 176 verses describing the many rewards that become available to those that believe and study. One of the most often quoted of these comes from verse 105. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” PS 119:105 KJV. Whenever I hear this verse, I think back to my youth when we first moved to Florida. My buddies and I would sometimes fish late into the evenings. When it was dark, before the moon would come up, if you didn’t have a flashlight to move around, you’d most likely step on something slimy, gross, dangerous…or all of the above. That’s what God’s word does for us as we walk in the darkness of this world. It lights our path so we are able to see those things that seek to overthrow our faith.
Eph 4:14 exhorts us “…be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (KJV)
When you are consistently reading and meditating on God’s word:
You’re allowing the Holy Spirit to remind you of the word of God that you have sown into your Spirit.(John 14:26) You’re renewing your mind(Romans 12:2),
You’re being equipped for every good work.(2Tim 3:17)
You’re able to live out 2Tim 2:15 and “rightly divide the word of truth”
Application/Challenge:
Make a commitment in 2022 to embark on a habit of reading the bible daily. I, like many at Thrive, use the One Year Bible as my daily reading program. When you sit down to start to read, take a minute and ask God to reveal truths to you that you had not previously realized or understood. He will hear your prayer and impart wisdom to you. This is another promise that he has given us in James 1:5
When I was a brand-new believer, I was given a booklet to help me in those early days. In that booklet, there was a short prayer that I have always recited before I start to read the word. It goes something like this:
“Father God, I thank you that you have not left us ignorant of who you are. You have revealed yourself to all of us through your Creation and your Word. As I prepare to read those words, I welcome you, Holy Spirit, to reveal to me these great truths from your Word. In Jesus name…Amen.”
I’m so excited for all of you that have made and will make this commitment. Your lives have changed and will continue to change for God’s Glory! AMEN!
-Tony
VERSE:
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 KJV
Thought:
This past Sunday, as Pastor Pete was teaching on the Growth Principles for Personal Study and Prayer and Fasting, I was reminded of the above verse from 2nd Timothy.
The passage goes on to describe two First Century personalities that had not rightly divided the word of truth and had spread “Vain Babblings” that will “increase unto more ungodliness” and would even “overthrow the faith of some.”(2Ti 2:16-18)
It’s hard to imagine anything more shameful than to be called out by Paul the Apostle and have your error preserved for all the world to see for the rest of time.
When we set out on a journey of personal study of the Scripture, God promises to reward our efforts.
“…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6 KJV
“…behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Pro 1:23
Need more promises? Psalm 119 has 176 verses describing the many rewards that become available to those that believe and study. One of the most often quoted of these comes from verse 105. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” PS 119:105 KJV. Whenever I hear this verse, I think back to my youth when we first moved to Florida. My buddies and I would sometimes fish late into the evenings. When it was dark, before the moon would come up, if you didn’t have a flashlight to move around, you’d most likely step on something slimy, gross, dangerous…or all of the above. That’s what God’s word does for us as we walk in the darkness of this world. It lights our path so we are able to see those things that seek to overthrow our faith.
Eph 4:14 exhorts us “…be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (KJV)
When you are consistently reading and meditating on God’s word:
You’re allowing the Holy Spirit to remind you of the word of God that you have sown into your Spirit.(John 14:26) You’re renewing your mind(Romans 12:2),
You’re being equipped for every good work.(2Tim 3:17)
You’re able to live out 2Tim 2:15 and “rightly divide the word of truth”
Application/Challenge:
Make a commitment in 2022 to embark on a habit of reading the bible daily. I, like many at Thrive, use the One Year Bible as my daily reading program. When you sit down to start to read, take a minute and ask God to reveal truths to you that you had not previously realized or understood. He will hear your prayer and impart wisdom to you. This is another promise that he has given us in James 1:5
When I was a brand-new believer, I was given a booklet to help me in those early days. In that booklet, there was a short prayer that I have always recited before I start to read the word. It goes something like this:
“Father God, I thank you that you have not left us ignorant of who you are. You have revealed yourself to all of us through your Creation and your Word. As I prepare to read those words, I welcome you, Holy Spirit, to reveal to me these great truths from your Word. In Jesus name…Amen.”
I’m so excited for all of you that have made and will make this commitment. Your lives have changed and will continue to change for God’s Glory! AMEN!
-Tony
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