“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16a, 17

Equipped For Work

When my son entered the fire academy at Shasta College, he had to buy a lot of safety equipment—thick-soled boots, his yellow jacket and pants, suspenders, and assorted tools to carry that could one day save his life. He was equipped long before he was asked to fight any fires.

According to today’s Scripture, God’s Word equips us to do His work. The Word gets us ready to walk in His calling.

The Word tells us:
   What to do;
   How to do it;
   The reason for doing it;
   What our attitude should be while doing it;
   What it will cost us;
   Who our helpers should be;
   How to lead our team;
   The outcome of the work;
   Who our Supervisor is.

Reading God’s Word will prepare you in every possible way for your life’s work. A thorough knowledge of Scripture is the best preparation—not reading how-to manuals, not having a support group, and not watching YouTube videos that show you the best way. Those may offer some small assistance, but they only assist—your primary source should be the Scriptures.

If you wonder why God isn’t using you, may I offer a few thoughts? Maybe there is unconfessed sin in your life. Perhaps you haven’t done what He has already asked of you, and so He hasn’t asked you to do the next thing. Maybe He’s been talking to you about it, but you’re tuned out. Or MAYBE… you aren’t reading His Word and thus you aren’t prepared.

Notice: every one of these reasons is something you can do something about yourself. 

“Father, You have done everything necessary to prepare us for Your work. Help us to love Your Word more than anything else in our lives, so that we may study it, learn from it, and be equipped. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”