You.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Two Timothy two, verse 15. I've always loved this verse in the Bible. This verse is a mandate to all christians, especially to pastors. It is a reminder of several things. First, it is a reminder that our goal is to be approved by God, not men. It matters not what men think or say about us and what we believe and do. What matters is what God thinks and says. We are to obey and please God more than we obey and please men. Second, it is a reminder that the word of God is to be at the center of our lives. This requires study and effort on our part. The King James Version even uses the word study, study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth. We are to be workmen if we think of the word of God as a mine in which we find treasure from heaven. We must see ourselves as miners who spend our days digging in God's word. To find that treasure, it takes work. But the harder and longer we work at it, the more treasure we find. Third, it is a reminder that we are to know, interpret, and proclaim the word of God correctly. There are a lot of christian people who simply don't read and study the Bible as they should. As a result, they don't know the Bible as they should. They misquote it, fail to take into consideration the context of various passages and apply it in wrong ways and places. Let me give you some actual examples of things people get wrong or mixed up about the Bible. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of Ark. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire at night. Moses went up on Mount Sinai to get the Ten Commandments. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still. And he did. David fought the Finkelsteins who had stolen the golden arches. When we don't know the Bible, we won't know the heart and will of God. We will confuse fiction with facts, and we won't be able to live the life God designed us to live. So let's make the effort to know the word and to be the kind of people who please the Lord and are approved by him. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved. A workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected]. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.