"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Some think that only preachers should study the Word of God... Not so! We all need to be studying the Word of God, and not just study it, but live it! We cannot have a close relationship with the Lord, if we do not know His Word. Some might disagree, but to those who do I challenge you to study God's Word for two weeks and you'll see a difference! After those two weeks you'll want to study God's Word more.
We also need to preach God's Word responsibly when we do. Don't take scriptures out of context, don't add to them or take away... Don't change the definitions of God's Words! We've seen people turn God's Word into something to soley benefit them: Trick people with it by taking it out of context, etc. What we study in God's Word isn't always going to thrill us... But that doesn't give us any right to change it in order to fit us. Instead we need to change ourselves in order to fit it. If you're seeking a closer relationship with God, the first thing you need to do is pray and study God's Word. And make sure the Word you're preaching is God's and not yours!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who've sinned against us. Help us to know your Word and to rightly divide it, and use it responsibly and in context. Also, help us to live by it. In Jesus name. A-men!

