Original Entry:
August 22, 2011
McMinnville, OR
This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had
given to Ezra the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the
commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel.
Ezra 7:11
Awhile back I was asked
to preach a message on manhood and I named the message, “Know the word better
than anyone in your family.” Boldly, we preached out of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and the eyes of the men in the congregation lit
up. Months later one man shared, “That message changed my life.” He finally had
a goal, a target men so desperately want to shoot at.
What has
happened? Where has the American Church
gone wrong? Has the Word lost its
potency? Is it somehow irrelevant?
Patrick Morely and
Company writes, “We have never seen a man grow spiritually without studying
God’s Word.” The man of God needs the
Word of God.
The Psalmist wrote, “How can a young man keep his way
pure? By living according to your
word. I have hidden your word in my
heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-10). The man of God
must know the Word of God better than anyone in his family.
“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the
man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2Timothy 3:16-17
Manhood is understood
though the Word. A man is equipped
through the Word. The Word of God is a man’s greatest asset. Read the word
daily. Study the Word daily. Meditate on
the Word daily. If you err on this
matter err on the side of legalism not laziness. Let the Word train you in
righteousness.
