Day Four -  Stretch our Minds

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Proverbs 2:20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

                 The Bible is the greatest source of joy and comfort,  but God has placed teachers in the churches to help us learn the Bible and grow by seeing their example.  No man is an island unto himself.  There have been many heroes of the faith who have walked and completed the same journey that you are taking. 

Samuel Clemens once commented,  “Why is it that every generation has to learn that the stove is hot?”   Why can’t we learn by listening rather than learn the hard way by touching the hot stove?  God has given the Holy Spirit to His children and has told them to teach one another the principles of His Word. 

When was the last time that you read a good book,  not just a novel,  but something that encourages you to live a better life?  Have you read a good biography,  or a book that challenges you in some area?  The Bible instructs us,

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

                God knew that there would be a time on this earth when “perilous times would come.”  He knew that the devil would be busy in the last days,  and the Lord even stated that “will he find faith on the earth when He comes?”   The world is not an easy place to live a holy life,  and He calls on His people to exhort one another.  He wants us to challenge each other in the area of holiness.  In fact,  in these days He says that we need exhortation from each other “so much the more.”  The verse is talking about being in the assembly,  in church,  but we also can get encouragement and be exhorted by reading a book written by a godly man or woman that has helped others. 

 An Exercise to increase our Faith  -  Find a book written by a man of God who can help you in a certain area and read it in the next couple of weeks.  As you read it, pray that God would change you in some way,  that the Bible would become more important,  and that your relationship with God would be strengthened.