Acts 17:10-12 (HCSB) 10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea. On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.
2 Timothy 2:15-18 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
We live in a day and time where attention spans have severely decreased. Many cannot and will not listen to a preacher proclaim – let’s say this the correct way – teach the Good News for more than 35 minutes. Many today cannot sit still in peace and quiet for 15 minutes. Many cannot sit down with a book in front of them and open to read for 10 minutes before they fall asleep. Many cannot sit with a book in front of them and opened to them for 5 minutes before they reach for their mobile device. Attention spans are at an all time deficit and are decreasing as each day passes. How do you ever learn and grow if you have and/display Attention Deficit Disorder?
I like to say that reading is fundamental. Reading is a basic task that helps us to gain information for some of the most basic activities in life. If you aren’t able to read, it will be very challenging for you to follow signs on road to get from one town to the next or from one state to the next – especially when you don’t have cell phone service and/or Google maps, Apple maps, Bing or Waze is not available. Bruh, what did we do before information technology took control of our brains, focus and desire? I’ll let you think about that one for a few minutes….. Ready, ok; information technology was created to make things easier for us and not for us to give it total control of our lives and we rely on it more than we rely on the gifts with which we were born.
Studying is the next logical step we take after we read. Reading is the building block and studying is the pillar you need in order to stand tall (straight up), stand strong (feet firmly planted), and stand focused (determined and laser-like attention) on life matters from time into eternity. When you have or display Attention Deficit Disorder, sitting still and taking time to study a particular subject becomes something that seems impossible for you to accomplish. If you never take the time to study a particular subject then a person could tell you anything, could be convincing enough for you to believe them, and could persuade you to do anything that their heart and/or mind desires for you to do – all because you have not taken the time to study. In reality, studying is as fundamental as reading is….some might say that studying is actually more important than reading as you can’t study a subject without reading the subject.
Family, people have a desire to work for The King but have no desire to read nor study The Father’s Message that The King opened up to us. Some people love to hear a ‘good word’ but do they ever examine ‘that good word’ against The Scriptures to confirm that that ‘perceived good word’ actually was The Word? Everything that sounds good to your flesh is NOT good for your spirit, soul or your eternity. The Scriptures say he who has an ear let him hear. One who has an ear is one who has studied The Scriptures and continues to study The Scriptures, not just one who has read them a time or two or three or ten. Don’t get me wrong because I DO want you to read The Scriptures on a regular basis; but I also WANT YOU to spend more time studying as it is important to your walk with The Lord.
Family, Paul preached in a particular area and the people to whom he preached did not receive his word until they could confirm that what he had delivered to them was The Word. They didn’t get excited until they had examined what he said against The Scriptures, then they were excited that The Lord had sent them a messenger. Paul told Timothy, a leader in a local area, that he needed to study The Scriptures. He told him that he would be ashamed if he did NOT study The Word and tried to lead believers into all truth – can’t happen! He told him that if he wanted serve The King, it is a must that he put the time into studying The Word. He told him that when you study The Scriptures, you will be empowered, you will be able to stand against the liar and his liars, you will be able to understand how to apply The Scriptures to your life, and you will be approved by The Master and have a crown in glory awaiting him.
Family, you have to study before you go to work. You have to study before you go into the vineyard for The King. You have to study for your own soul’s salvation. You have to study so that you will be strong in your faith. You have to study if you desire to be in The Lord’s army and desire to go to war for The Lord. A soldier should never go into a battle unprepared for his enemy. A soldier has to realize that sometimes the greatest enemy that he or she will ever fight is themself. Examine The Scriptures daily and always study so that you will be approved by The Father and His Son!
Shalom (Peace)!
Scriptural References:
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