Bible

"What has God been teaching you? What have you been learning from His Word?" my sweet friend, Josie, asked me.

I had to stop and think about that for a minute. "What have I been learning?" I asked myself.
"I think," I replied slowly "that He is teaching me to be content. And I'm learning how to pray - how to never stop praying for people. And how to pray with Scripture."
We continued to chat over hot chocolate and muffins (please, no coffee! ;) But that question stayed in my mind for a long time!
I continued to think about it over the next couple of days and I thought I'd share with you some encouragement from God's Word.

*Praying with Scripture - this is something I learned from my Dad. It is really helpful to structure prayers around Scripture. I especially like the Psalms!

A few Sunday's ago we attended a church in Wisconsin. At the Sunday school, in the "teen room," the young men in the class were taking turns leading the Bible study. The Scripture this particular week was 2 Timothy 2:1-13. I was really encouraged by these verses..so take some time to read them!

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful
2 Timothy 2:1-13

 

A few of my favorite verses:

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6

 

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

 

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~Emily