Equipped

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

No cleats, 15 pounds overweight, and no practice. It is clear that I am not equipped to play soccer on bumpy, slick dirt fields of Honduras after trying dozens of times. It's not that I don't want to be able to do it, as it would help me minister better to our boys at Grace Farm. I am just not equipped for soccer. Last night as I returned home on the plne, I thought about trying to scratch out some time in my crazy schedule to be better equipped the next time I go. I have a choice in the matter. I can be better equipped on my next visit or I can remain inept, providing only a few laughs and an occasional lucky gringo goal.

Now stop and ponder all of the work that you are involved in. Raising a family, ministries, your job, volunteer work at schools and in the community, coaching, teaching others, or just trying to struggle through the tough headwinds of 2011 financially, mentally and spiritually. Are you equipped? Do you rely on the power of the Gospel and the equipping of God's Word to guide your life and actions. Or do you believe that the Word of God is an optional component? Maybe you think that the Bible is one of many "inputs" that you use to make decisions, or you just disregard it as a book of "opinions" by other men stated 2,000 years ago.

We need to look carefully at what Paul is telling Timothy. The Bible is the breath of God on a page. All Scripture is the breath of God. Not just some, but all of it is the Breath of God, written through men for His Glory and our benefit. Obviously there is not specific instructions for questions like, "Should we send our kids to a Christian School, public school or home school? There are hundreds of reminders to drive us to our needs to seek His council so that His will we be walked out in our life. For many other specific questions we have, the answers are screaming off the page we if we will listen. Sadly, not many people want God's answers. They would rather just ask other people who are unequipped or google. Unfortunately when we rely on our feelings or thoughts instead of God's, our life looks a whole lot like me trying to chase around 20 year old fast Hondurans on a soccer field -downright silly.

So when you walk through life and need answers, where do you turn? God's breathed out word on a page or something a little "softer" that has more "meaning" in your life today? I plead with you to think through that question slowly. Aren't we playing with fire if we think something other than God has more meaning and relevance in our lives? Isn't that a marker in and of itself?