The words of God

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Apostle Paul writing to his beloved friend Timothy tells him that the Bible is inspired by God. In the Greek ”inspired by God” can literally mean “God breathed”. Man may have written the words, but the words were spoken through them by God. Then the apostle goes on to give us the purpose of the scriptures; they are for knowing our beliefs, for learning what to disapprove of, for correction of waywardness, and to learn what is righteous.

 

 

Karen Bota of the Sentinel Standard on 04/15/2013 wrote an article "Judge imposes fine on self for cell phone mishap”. Here is the article:  A Michigan judge handed down an unusual ruling. Judge Raymond Voet has a clearly posted policy in his courtroom that electronic devices causing a disturbance during court sessions will result in the owner being cited with contempt of court. He usually imposes a fine of $25 on top of that.

But on a Friday afternoon in April 2013 he enforced that policy on himself.  During the prosecutor's closing argument, the judge's new smartphone, which was in his shirt pocket, loudly requested that Voet give the phone voice commands for voice dialing.

Voet said, "I'm guessing I bumped it. It started talking really loud, saying 'I can't understand you.' My face got as red as a beet." Voet tried to turn it off, but the phone kept talking and creating a disturbance.

Voet added, "I set the bar high, because cell phones are a distraction and there is very serious business going on. The courtroom is a special place in the community, and it needs more respect than that. I tow a tough line, and I got to back it up this afternoon."

At the next recess, Voet held himself in contempt of court, fined himself $25. Later on, Voet said, "Judges are humans. They're not above the rules. I broke the rule and I have to live by it." Voet paid the fine immediately.

 

 

So often we are ready to point out the sins of others, but we first need to be willing to take a hard look at ourselves. The Bible tells us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We need to apply God’s word to our own lives first and examine our faults and our shortcomings. We need to teach ourselves what is right and what is wrong before we even attempt to try to tell others. For Jesus said, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” In other words, your issues are usually bigger than what you perceive your friends to be.