Training Season

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

Today, we want to focus on the word "training" in today's scripture. 

While we typically think of training in terms of an athlete training for the Olympics or someone training for a marathon - that is, developing a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time - there is another definition of training.

Oxford's dictionary defines "to train" as "to point or aim something, typically a gun or camera, at."

What would happen if we thought of scripture in this way? That is, what if we used it to equip as to pierce like a gun? Or to give us more focus like a camera?

How much more powerful would the church be?

How are you using/seeing scripture today?

God bless,

J.W.

The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

 

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." ~ Proverbs 22:6

The principle of sowing and reaping can be found in today's scripture.

While it specifically addresses raising kids, there's application for all of life here.

If you would put in the work, God says that you will see the reward... in the end. So if you haven't seen the reward yet, it means it's not the end. Keep pressing. Keep praying. Keep waiting.

In the end, it will pay off.

God bless,

J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 8)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Ultimately, God is not training us just to train us. He trains us to get results (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Just like a runner trains to win the grand prize, we ought to train ourselves in such a way as to win our prize (Philippians 3:14).

What is that prize? Very simply, it's the John 10:10 life. It's the Ephesians 3:20 experience. The Luke 6:38 principle.

God wants to give us His very best. But in order to get His best, we have to give ours (Mark 8:34-36).

What are you giving Him today?

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 7)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:32

Many people misquote John 8:32 and/or take it out of context. Most often, you hear people say "and the truth shall set you free" and that's it. But this scripture reveals much more than just that.

If we look at John 8:32 in context, we see in the preceding verse that Jesus talks about people becoming His disciples. A close reading of John 8:31-32 reveals that it's only after becoming a disciple of Jesus that one is exposed to the truth. Exposure to the truth then makes us free.

In other words, there's a whole process to attain freedom. Simple truth doesn't make people free. It's by becoming disciples of Jesus that we come to know the truth and become free.

In other words, Jesus instructs us to become disciples (Matthew 16:24) - that is, to become students or "studiers" of His Word. He tells us to train by abiding in it (John 8:31).

And just like any trainer, He says we can't get the results without going through the process.

So, the real question is, if you truly want to be free, are you willing to go through the process to get there?

How are you training today?

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 2)

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8

We are not the only ones who train our children. God does too.

One of the ways He instructs us to train is found in Joshua 1:8.

God tells Joshua to "meditate on [the Word] day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 says “blessed is the one… who meditates on His law day and night.” Psalm 119 has at least eight references to meditating on the word, the promises, and the works of God.

So, no, meditation is not just some yoga, new age term for Hipsters. It’s a Biblical command. And it’s part of the way God trains us.

So, what does meditation look like for the believer? The answer may surprise you.

More to come!

God bless,

J.W.