For Me?

I recently clipped a cartoon depicting a husband and wife leaving a church assembly with the man remarking, “I think there’s enough sin out in the world for the preacher to preach about without getting so personal in his sermons.” Though the words were critical there was at least some acknowledgment that the MESSAGE APPLIED somehow to his own PERSONAL LIFE. It is far too easy for us to hear sermons, sit in a Bible study, and read our Bibles while thinking of others who need the exhortation more than we do ourselves. It reminds me of the story of the woman who always responded to the preacher as she left services, “Boy, you sure gave it TO THEM this morning.” One Sunday, due to severe weather, she ended up being the only one in attendance. However, knowing there was application in the day’s sermon, the preacher preached to her as if the auditorium had been full. Following the sermon the woman’s response was, “Boy if THEY had been here THEY sure would have gotten it today.”

We need to always be open to taking the message of the Word to heart. Regardless of what portion of Scripture we might be focusing on, there is an admonishment, exhortation, instruction, or encouragement that can be APPLIED to our PERSONAL LIFE. I appreciate the many times I receive a response from a “teEn-MAIL” recipient who honestly acknowledges their need for a particular focus, sometimes even stating their thankfulness for redirecting their life. Quite often the focus was what I needed PERSONALLY as well. There is great power in the Word if we will be honest and open to our own PERSONAL need for what we are reading.

Paul described the power of the Scriptures as follows:
“(16) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, (17) that the man of God MAY BE COMPETENT, EQUIPPED for every good work.” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

When focusing on the Scriptures we always need to consider the context first in terms of who is speaking, to whom the message is directed, and under what circumstances, as well as whether it is associated with life under the law of Moses or under Christ. Then we need to consider how the message APPLIES PERSONALLY before our focus moves to ways in which we might encourage or instruct others. As we are honest regarding the life changing power of Scripture we will be enabled to deal with the log in our own eye so that we can then see more clearly to help another with the speck in their eye. ( Matthew 7:3-5)

There is something in the message of the Word for all of us. May we remain honest and open to the life principles there so that we do not miss out on the PERSONAL direction God seeks to provide. We can never take His Word too personally. As we focus on the Scriptures, let us be the student first so that we will be enabled to have both our manner of living and speech to be consistent with God’s truth.

Have a great day ALLOWING THE WORD TO WORK ITS WILL IN OUR LIFE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Receptiveness