Saturday 6-27-15 (Home in Modesto)
Scripture reading: 2 Kings
14-15 2 Chron 25 2 Tim 3
S.
2 Tim 3:15-16 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have
given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ
Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in
our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. NLT
O.
Timothy’s
father was a Greek and very likely an unbeliever, but his mother Eunice and his
grandmother Lois were devout Jewish women.
They had raised Timothy together nurturing him in the Holy
Scriptures. Although many young men
follow the lead of their fathers, these two women made an effort to raise this
boy to serve the Lord God. Later, when
the Apostle showed up in Lystra with the message of Jesus Christ, this family,
by their knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures, recognized the truth of
their Savior, Jesus the long awaited Messiah.
A.
When at 18
years of age I began my studies, first at Western Conservative Baptist
Theological Seminary, and then after 2 ½ years transferred to Southern
California Bible College (now Vanguard University), I was surprised by the fact
that many of my fellow students knew little about the Bible. Some of these students had been saved and
called into ministry while serving in the military and had little or no
training in the Scriptures. In sharp
contrast my parents taught me to memorize scripture before I could read. Every day we sat at my mother’s or father’s
feet and heard scripture (King James Version) read and explained to us. Often mother added a chapter from a famous
book like the “Pilgrim’s Progress” or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. And then we all knelt and each had to lead in
prayer. I had the advantage over other
ministerial students, since I already knew the Bible from cover to cover.
The
Apostle Paul is reminding Timothy of the importance of Holy Scriptures. The carefully recorded biblical stories of
men and women allow these ancient actors to become our mentors… either by
showing us their good example or their errors and tragedies. “Timothy, my boy, read the Book, devour it,
memorize it and learn from it.”
P.
Heavenly Father I thank You this morning for the Book. It has been a lamp to my feet and a light to
my pathway. It has led me safely through
dark, treacherous situations. It has
taken me to fall in total surrender at the feet of Your Son, Jesus. It has taught me the story of Your Divine
Love. It has offered me grace and mercy
instead of the judgment I deserve. It
has given me the assurance of heaven.
And I thank You for a father and mother and grandparents on both sides
that loved You and honored Your Word.
What a heritage! Yes, I know that
the final choices are up to each of us, but You gave me a hefty boost in the
right direction. I can only express my
gratitude with a life dedicated to serve You.
Amen.
Ralph
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