Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:12-14; 12:1-28; Psalm 119:1-41; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 4:12; Philippians 2:12-16

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture (God’s Word – the Bible) is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God (those in the family of faith – God’s children) may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 5:12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God's revelation (His Word) again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature-- for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Hebrews 12:1b … Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart… 5b … son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives… 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it… 25a Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks… 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Psalm 119:1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, (made right/made holy/made blameless in His sight - Colossians 1:21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, …) who live according to the LORD's instruction! 2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. 4 You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. 5 If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. 7 I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. 10 I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands. 11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 12 LORD, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. 14 I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17 Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me. 20 I am continually overcome with longing for Your judgments. 21 You rebuke the proud, the ones under a curse, who wander from Your commands. 22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept Your decrees. 23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; 24 Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. 25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word. 26 I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. 27 Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. 28 I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word. 29 Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me Your instruction. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your decrees; LORD, do not put me to shame. 32 I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding. 33 Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them. 34 Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. 35 Help me stay on the path of Your commands, for I take pleasure in it. 36 Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. 37 Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways. 38 Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You. 39 Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, Your judgments are good. 40 How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness. 41 Let Your faithful love come to me, LORD, Your salvation, as You promised.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit (the spiritual), joints and marrow (the physical). It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

Philippians 2:12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, … , work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose, … 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. 16a Hold firmly to the message of life…