Do You Read The Word?

Twelve percent of all American adults read the Bible every day of the week, while 52 percent do not read it at all. Another 33 percent read the Scriptures at least once during a typical week.

More blacks (70 percent) read the Bible than Hispanics (49 percent) and whites (42 percent). More women (50 percent) read it than men (39 percent). The South can retain its label as the Bible belt: 56 percent of southern adults read the Bible at least weekly. On the other end of the spectrum is the Northeast, where only 30 percent do.

More than one in four (26 percent) evangelicals read the Bible daily; another 50 percent read it weekly or more. But 22 percent of evangelicals report that they never read the Bible outside of church.  -- Barna Research Group

What does the Bible say?

Deuteronomy 17: 19  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

John 5: 39  "You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

Acts 17: 11  And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.

Does your Bible look like it is brand new, but has a lot of dust on it?

Christian Johnson, said the following in Men of Integrity,  A Bible that's falling apart probably belongs to someone who isn't.

2 Timothy 3: 16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Let us turn to 2 Timothy Chapter Four.

Preach the Word (vv. 1-5) These verses are Paul's departing charge to Timothy. The words are an appropriate summation of the essential conduct of a gospel minister.)

4:1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (Complete the ministry God has given you.)

Paul's Farewell Statement (vv. 6-8 Paul is prepared to meet his Lord. He is certain of his imminent death)

6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  (I hope that all of us will be able to make this statement.)

8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle (Luke is the only companion of Paul at the end.)

9  Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. ( Are we profitable to the Ministry?)

12  And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13  The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

The Lord Is Faithful

17  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Come Before Winter

19  Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

21  Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

22  The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Bottom Line
This chapter has a lot of things in it that we should want to be able to claim in our lives when we stand before the Lord. We have preached the Word – We have done the work of an Evangelist – We have kept the faith – We are profitable to the Ministry. If you don’t have a good Bible Dictionary and Commentary, go out and buy them and use them along with your Bible.

The verse for today and everyday should be.

2 Timothy 2: 15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth..