“There’s nothing like the written Word of God…” (The Message)
READ
2 Timothy 3:14-17
REFLECT
Our training equipment matters.  How can we expect to perform functional movements if our equipment is not functional?  The Bible claims its Words are not only the most functional equipment for following Christ, but they are the only equipment we need.  “Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”
If our fitness relies on our ability to do functional work, then whatever empowers that ability is our most important tool.  Similarly, our faith relies on the words of the Bible because they empower our ability to do the work God has given us.  How does the Word of God empower us?
1- The Word of God shows us truth.  Jesus says His disciples are made holy through the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17).
2- The Word of God exposes rebellion.  God’s Word is compared to a surgeon’s scalpel that cuts open the heart and exposes our deepest needs (Hebrews 4:12-13).
3- The Word of God corrects our mistakes.  When convicted by God’s Word we are not left on the surgeon’s table cut open, but we find healing for our wounds through the promises of His Word (Psalm 107:20).
4- The Word of God trains us to live God’s way.  God does not give us a road map leaving us on our own to find the way.  He gives us a living trainer that transforms our lives so that we desire His will (Romans 12:1-2).
The process God’s Word uses to produce lives that glorify Him is through pointing us to Jesus Christ.  Without Jesus we have no hope of finding real life and without the Bible we have no hope of learning about the salvation available in Jesus.  As John Piper says in his video, “God wrote a Book…”  Read NOW!
“The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that [Jesus] has spoken to you are spirit and are life..” – John 6:63
RESPOND
1- Watch the video above.
2- List 3 excuses you are tempted to give for not reading the Bible every day.
3- Commit to reading the Bible every day.  Consider these RESOURCES.
4- Ask God to give you a heart that desires His Word more than anything else in life.
*Video from DesiringGod.org