Thoughts On Thursday…

Growing in Faith -- Instruction

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Cor 5:17 

So New Creature, about two weeks ago we mentioned that God prompts us to grow in prayer, worship, instruction, and encouragement. That refers to being with people as well as by yourself; and we looked at prayer and worship. Now let us do the same with the next area on the list…Instruction. 

What is Instruction? 

1. The act of teaching or informing the understanding in that of which it was before ignorant; information.

2. Precepts conveying knowledge.

3. Direction; order; command; mandate. 

(Source: 1828 Webster’s Online Dictionary)

Hmmm…well the first place I think of to go for instruction in Faith is the Bible. After all, it is God's Word. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" 2 Timothy 3:16

"Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth." Psalm 78:1

"He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray." Proverbs 9:9

The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17

Scriptures address every area in our life from prayer, to morality, to finances, to relationships. It's God's (our Father) instruction book for living life to the fullest. Even Jesus quoted scripture to instruct those around Him. One time he quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 where God spoke to Moses: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 

Think about that verse that Jesus quoted and ponder it. If we truly want to live life to the fullest, we need to live on the Word of God. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

See you next week for the fourth, and final, word to define in growing in our faith--encouragement!

Fortnight For Freedom is from June 21 to July 4th. Please pray every day during this period of time set aside by our Bishops. The Rosary each day is a good way to pray!