As One Approved

Friday, January 10, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 1:15-16

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading: Genesis 25-26 Matthew 8:1-17

As One Approved

2 Timothy 2:15 ►"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

I played only one sport and this is my only reference. But, in basketball, training is long and hard. Strength is very important but endurance-the ability to work well through exhaustion-is just as important. But the coach said to me, "There are simply some things that cannot be coached-you have to play a lot of ball to learn as much as you can."

Learning how to push and use your elbows for weapons-how to stand your ground and not be moved-how and when to move-how to always know where your teammates as well as opponents are all the time-these are just a few of the things that could not be 'coached'. They had to be learned in competition.

An approved worker in God's kingdom cannot sit on the bench-on the sideline-they must be in the game. An 'approved' worker is identified by God's word as one who knows God's word well enough to be ready for confrontation by the enemy-ready in any trial that arises.

Our opponent, satan, is ready for anything. We must know God's word well enough to anticipate the next move of the opponent. We, in the power of the Holy Spirit, must be ready to cut Him off. We must play as good a defense as we play offense.

Working to be approved is constant training in reading God's word and in digging in God's word. This is one place the opponent does not want us. He wants to confuse us. He will twist God's word any way He can and that's why we must stay in the word as much as we can-to know it as well as we can.

I read scripture out loud so that I not only see it but hear it, and, with my lips, tongue, and vocal chords, touch it. Sight, sound, touch.

Expect the enemy to oppose your reading and studying of God's word and be ready. Learn from being in the fight. God's training goes on forever.

Expect, also, to become stronger and more determined in the power of the Holy Spirit. When you lose a play-when you fail-He will turn it into a victory. Never stop-never let up depending on God. He will do it.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Holy and righteous is Your name. Let me know Your kingdom and Your will for me to obey. I cannot do this without Your bread. Forgive me for not training hard enough.

Great teacher and Master,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen