Monthly Archives: September 2015

Open Book Test

I remember those days in school when the anxiety was high and the usually loud classroom was abnormally quiet. Test Day. All the time in class had built up to this moment. There’s worry in the air, mixed with a little bit of confidence, as the teacher stands in front of her desk with a stack of papers that make Mount Rushmore look small. Anyone who believes we’ve taken prayer out of school obviously hasn’t been there on test day. The five minutes before a test may actually have you convinced that you’ve been transported into a Sunday night prayer service. Some pray God will help them remember what they studied, while others pray He’ll help them with what they failed to study. Test days were intense for sure, but there’s one thing that always lightened the load. One thing that would cause us to celebrate. One thing that made even the most difficult test seem easy… The gracious act of allowing an open book! Open book test took the pressure off because we could find and double-check our answers even during the exam. The information was available to us to solve even the toughest problems.

 

When you graduate, it doesn’t take long to realize that our tests are far from over. We face them all the time. There are problems to be solved, questions to be answered, and lots of things we have to work through for the right outcome. A great thing about being a believer is that our teacher loves open book tests. In fact, He desires that you use it for every test.

 

The Word tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

All the answers are found in this book. So when you are tested, and you will be, rejoice in the fact that you aren’t left to figure it out yourself! In fact God’s word never fails us! Open the book! Search for the answers. Talk to the teacher! You’ll find that He desires your success.

Just Do It

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

 

At my work we have a workout room full of equipment available to the staff and residents. There are machines and barbells and dumbbells… and other gadgets I’m not quite sure about. But they’re there. They’re available for anyone who will use them. Anyone who has the determination and the discipline to get into better shape. It’s equipment that will help to get rid of that extra weight and strengthen the core. It’s equipment that will cause longer life and helps to condition the body for moments when that extra endurance is needed.

 

Not everyone takes advantage of this room full of equipment. Some walk in and others walk by. It’s available to all. In fact it’s a privilege, but only a percentage grasp it. Only a few reap the rewards of it. They are the few who are fit and toned. They are the few we call when we need help because we know they’ve prepared themselves for the heavy stuff. We know they can handle it because they’ve put the equipment to work, and it’s worked on them.

 

The word of God tells us that the Bible equips us for every good work. It’s available to us all. It helps us to get rid of the unnecessary weight and strengthens the core. It prepares us for the heavy things in life. It prolongs our life. It causes us to be healthier, happier, and conditioned for every good work. We see it in those who are called when someone needs help, because they’ve put the word to work and it’s worked on them.

 

But what if we never pick it up? What if we never get in but always pass by? What if we lack the discipline and determination? Then we’ll never reap the rewards! We’ll not be conditioned for the tough times. We’ll not have the answer for the friend who calls. We’ll not know the precious promises that pull us through the heavy times. We won’t be equipped for all the things we’re called to do.

 

If you’ve ever broken a workout routine then you know that picking it back up is not easy. It’s a challenge. It’s something you have to just do! If you’ve not been spending your time in the word of God, it’s time to jump back in. Don’t get spiritually heavy and out of shape! Don’t be unprepared for the good works God’s prepared for you to do. Just Do It Today!

Thank You…

I’m so grateful today to know the Lord. He is so good to me! Not only has he saved me and delivered me from my past and covered my sins in the blood, but he has restored my life. I can honestly understand the passage of scripture that says, I shall not want. I’m not lacking any good thing. He’s completed my life. He alone! I’ve found that being complete and content doesn’t require a wife, a lot of money, “stuff”, or anything else this world has to offer. He has made me complete. Now anything else is icing on the cake. Cake that has all sorts of ingredients mixed into it. Ingredients of trials along with sweetness, brokenness and stirring. It’s cake that has been through the oven, or as we like to say, “the fire”.  And because He did the mixing, He’s involved in it all. He’s been faithful. He’s caused all things to work together for my good, to show that He is good. And when people in my life taste the product of what He’s made, they can taste His goodness.

Thank you Father for your goodness to me. Thank you for your kindness. I pray that others will see you when they see me. I pray that others will want what I have, which is YOU!