Below is a devotional written by Charles Stanley...
CHARLES STANLEY – THE BELIEVER’S VALLEY EXPERIENCES FEBRUARY 15, 2019 Psalm 23:1-6 Today’s passage is probably the most beloved psalm in the Bible. It’s filled with comforting descriptions of green pastures, still waters, a banquet table, and an overflowing cup, all of which point to restoration and God’s abundant goodness and mercy. But right in the middle of the psalm is “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4). We may be tempted to think this verse doesn’t fit the context, but it actually conveys a core truth about the believer’s life: Although our Shepherd constantly guides and cares for us, we will experience periods of hardship, suffering, and darkness. It’s just part of living in a fallen world. However, God gives us amazing promises in the midst of the dark valleys. We never walk through them alone, because the Lord promises to be with us. Even when we can’t feel His presence, He is there. And His Word is our primary means of comfort—nowhere else can we find the relief we seek. All our coping methods will leave us empty, but the truths of Scripture assure us of God’s love and strength, which enable us to endure and even grow through difficult experiences. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus protects and guides His lambs through every trial. Even in dark valleys, we cannot be snatched from Him (John 10:29). His rod beats away predators trying to drag off one of the flock, and His staff’s crooked neck pulls a wandering sheep back from danger. If you’re presently traveling through a dark valley, remember that the Lord is with you. His goodness and mercy are still following you because your Shepherd never forsakes His beloved lambs. https://808bo.com/2018/09/15/charles-stanley-the-believers-valley-experiences-2/
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Take into consideration Biblical Actionable Intelligence (God’s Word, Application, Knowledge as you read and apply His word) as you read the following verses, the definitions, and the article below. Check out Andy Stanley’s six and a half minute video too if you have time.
Practicing His Presence, Nate 2 Timothy 2:15
Article below is from gotquestions.org… Question…What does it mean to be rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)? Answer…Timothy had incredible advantages. He was taught the Word of God by his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5), and he was discipled by Paul and served with Paul in ministry for years. Timothy knew the Word of God and was well-equipped. Even still, Paul tells Timothy that he needed to be diligent in the study of the Word and in rightly dividing the Word of truth. Without that continuing diligence in the Word, Timothy would not be able to stand firm, and he would not be able to maintain sound teaching. Paul warned Timothy to pay attention to himself and to his teaching (1 Timothy 4:16). Because all Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, it is exactly what we need in order to be equipped for every good work God intends for us (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Paul encourages Timothy to be diligent to present himself as a workman approved by God who would not need to be ashamed because he was rightly dividing or accurately handling the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). First, Paul’s instruction makes it clear that the study of the Bible is work. It takes effort. It takes diligence. We need to be committed to doing that work if we desire to be equipped for what God intends us to do in life. Second, Paul helps us to focus on the idea that this work in the Word is not about the approval of other people. Rather, it is God who is assessing how we handle His Word, and so we are studying His Word for Him. Also, we understand that, if we are diligent, we will not need to be ashamed because we will have been faithful with the remarkable stewardship of His Word. Sometimes we may take for granted that we have His completed Word—the Bible. We may be unaware of how many people suffered and died to provide us the freedom and opportunity to own our own Bibles and read them in our own language. How sad would it be if we took this—one of the very greatest of freedoms—and were not diligent to make the most of it? Paul’s final comment in 1 Timothy 2:15 is helpful because it tells us what success looks like in the study of the Word: to be “rightly dividing” the Word of truth (NKJV). The Greek word translated as “rightly dividing” is orthotomounta--ortho means “right or proper,” and tomounta means “to cut.” Literally, success in handling the Word is to cut it properly or correctly. This is farming imagery, as a farmer who is plowing a field would seek to cut straight furrows in order to plant rows of seed. When plowing, a farmer would look at a point on the other side of the field and focus on that point to ensure the line cut in the dirt was straight. This is what the good student of the Word is doing, as well: remaining focused on the goal or outcome and being diligent to handle the Word of God properly. To rightly divide the Word of truth is to “cut it straight.” Ultimately, in studying the Word, we are trying to understand what the Author has said and not allow our own opinions or views to cloud the meaning of what He has written. When we are diligent to “cut straight”—to rightly divide the Word of truth—we can understand what He has communicated in His Word and be well-equipped for what He would have us to do and how He would have us to think. https://www.gotquestions.org/rightly-dividing-the-word-of-truth.html Just a friendly reminder…“We should preach the Word accurately and rightly (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2), and allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting.” Article from gotquestions.org You might ask, “So where can I start?” Here’s a first step / an Actionable message from Andy Stanley that you can apply along your faith path…Putting Your Faith Into Action. Below is an article I came across that fits into our discussion concerning Biblical Actionable Intelligence. Enjoy!
Biblical Actionable Intelligence: Spiritual Nutrition, Word Application! november 26, 2019 Spiritual Intelligence and Nutrition: I am defining as actionable faith – the act of doing what you see God do, and Intelligence is the understanding of what’s placed before you to do. Using as your guide, the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. I am calling the Word application actionable intelligence because spiritual power can only be obtained by means of expecting, believing, understanding and obeying the Word heard, and then receiving it’s benefits by faith in God. Faith is acting on the Word of God to effect change in the world. When you believe and understand the Word heard, you then take action on it by DOING SOMETHING. I like reading the message bible because it’s words are more clearly stated in contemporary phrases and one can better understand its intentions and application. When the Holy Spirit said to me, I have given you the key, He was not only referring to understanding the Word but also applying the Word I hear. When I read love the Lord your God with all your heart and love others as yourself. I understand that to apply this to my daily life I must consider every negative thought, action or word spoken out of my mouth, and to make it align with how I feel about God and myself. I therefore meditate on why I view or feel the negative to make it coincide with my view of myself. I know that to love God with all my heart is to be more like him in a spiritual nature and not give way to the lust of the flesh. This is important because without an understanding to apply the word read we miss reaping its benefit. This is also why proverbs tell us “in all your getting get an understanding”. And the book of James tells us to not just hear the Word but be a doer also. This means understanding how to apply the Word is a master key to entering The Kingdom of God and victory in your life. The Word of God will work if you work it! “Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.” Proverbs 12:25 MSG. In the case of worry pulling you down, one can feel their stress level increase with each negative thought. Documenting what you are thinking and saying at the point of sluggish or depressed feelings will show you, “you are your own worst enemy”. The words coming out of your mouth are your very own prophecies. The issue is not our family, neighbors, community nor what’s happening in the World. The Word of God can correct this issue by learning to move and abide in the Holy Spirit and let go of things you cannot change, changing the things you can and trusting God for everything else. This is key to a peaceful existence. Herein is the power of the Holy Spirit of God to transform your fears to faith, hope and life. Energy flows where attention goes; if you think negative thoughts long enough negative actions will follow. Positive thinking is required for positive actions. I hear you saying, but I am practicing positive thinking but the negative things continue to happen to me. This can be the results of the season you are in (Matthew 5), the power of truth coming into being that cancels out falsehood or just a need for more knowledge and wisdom on the subject. The Holy Ghost comes to destroy your enemies but to save you. Deliverance only come at the point of divine completion. I say to you first and foremost to have faith in God and to encourage yourself through reading the Word, praising and worshipping the Lord. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 KJVAE. “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 KAE. https://marjoriemcwilliams.com/2019/11/26/spiritual-actionable-intelligence-word-application/ |
AuthorNate Smith is a college baseball and football coach, a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters, a police chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
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