Instruction: August 1, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012.

INSTRUCTION

DEFINITION:

Teaching; an order; direction; advice; education.

SCRIPTURE:

“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go.” Proverbs 4:13

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Think of all the times in your life when you were given instruction regardless of whether you wanted it or thought you needed it. When you were a child you needed instruction from your parents. When you went to school you received instruction from your teachers. When you went to Sunday school you received instruction about the Bible from your Sunday school teacher. When you had a new job, you received instruction as to your responsibilities.

The reality is that there is never a time in our life that we cannot benefit from instruction if it is the right kind of instruction. That is why Solomon says, “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let it go.”

We learned from an early age from our parents the value and importance of instruction. As children we did not always like the instruction that was given us. With children, correction is a necessary element in instruction. Children often rebel at corrective instruction but if it is given consistently and in love soon the rebellion will be overcome. As we grew older we realized the value of the instruction given to us by our parents.

We also learned at an early age the value of the instruction we received in school. Our teachers and our parents taught us to study and to accept instruction as to how we were to study and learn. Without proper instruction how can a child succeed in life? Today many children do not get encouragement at home to do well in school. The result is that children then feel if no one cares why should they?

Many books have been written that provide instruction as to how to do things. They are all written from the limited scope of the human mind. With time they must be changed and updated. The Bible is not a human book. It is different from all other books. The Bible is the “inspired Word of God.” This means that what the scripture speaks to us it is God speaking to us. God’s Word never changes.

Paul tells us that because scripture is given by inspiration of God it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and for instruction in righteousness.

The above scripture verse found in II Timothy reminds us that the Bible was given to us as God’s inspired word for instruction as to how we are to live our lives in this world as believers in the Lord. God’s Word provides for us positive training information in godly behavior. The instruction that we receive as we read God’s word at times seems hard to understand and many wonder if it is even realistic in today’s culture. But when one accepts Jesus as his or her Savior the heart and mind changes and the instruction we receive from the Bible can be understood. We must understand that the instruction that God has given us in the Bible has never changed through the centuries, only people and cultures change.

We are to take hold of the instruction that God gives us and we are not to let it go. (Above verse from Proverbs) We are to guard it with all we have got. In this Proverb the father is commanding his son to acquire wisdom and instruction and in this verse he is strongly suggesting for the son to guard the scriptures and what instruction he has received from the scriptures. We encourage you today to use discernment about what others do or what others say if it conflicts with the instruction given to us in God’s word.

As parents we must instruct our children in the ways of the Lord and as children we must learn from the God-given instruction that our parents give us. Remember others learn from our words and our deeds. Make sure that what you do and say today is consistent with the instruction given to you in God’s Word.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 Corinthians 3:11.

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Thank You for giving us Your Word to instruct us as to how we are to live our lives so that we will honor You. Thank You that You never change nor does Your Word. Make my heart receptive to Your instruction for my life.