“No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
Though the Scriptures were written by holy men of God, it was the Spirit of God who moved them to write and guided them in their message and choice of words so that the Bible is God’s Word and not man’s. Therefore, the Bible is not subject to private interpretation but must be understood and interpreted in agreement with the rest of Scripture.
Grant that I hear and receive Your Word, O Lord, not as the word of men, but as Your inspired Word, given that I might repent of my sinful ways and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and life. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God’s unerring Word because it was given to us by God Himself through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is to be used as the source and judge of all our teaching, to reprove and correct error and sin in our lives, and to instruct us in how God would have us live as His dear children through faith in Jesus Christ.
God, grant that we hear, read, and study Holy Scripture as Your inspired Word, repent of all sin and error, look to Christ and His cross for pardon and forgiveness, and let Your Word guide us in living according to Your holy will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
Why do we hear and read the Bible? The Holy Scriptures reveal our utter sinfulness and point us to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His holy life in our place and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. The Bible tells us how to be saved — through faith in Jesus Christ and His cross.
Grant, O LORD, that I hear, read, and meditate in Your Word that I might trust in Jesus and His cross for my salvation. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God’s love for the world, His love for each and every one of us, is demonstrated in this: He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die on the cross and bear the full punishment for our sins, with the desire and intent that we would repent of our sinful ways and place our faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross and not be condemned to the eternal fires of hell but receive God’s mercy, forgiveness and life everlasting!
O gracious and loving God, grant me faith to trust in Christ Jesus for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Not only is Jesus’ crucifixion a well-documented historical fact, but His resurrection appearances were witnessed by many. If anyone in the first century questioned the fact of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, many living eyewitnesses to His resurrection appearances could testify to the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead on the third day, as He said. And, because He did die for our sins and then rise again, we can be assured of forgiveness for our sins and a resurrection to life everlasting through faith in His name.
O crucified and risen Savior, grant me faith to trust that You died for my sins and rose again on the third day that I might be pardoned, forgiven, and have the eternal joys of heaven through faith in Your name. Amen.
