EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LIFE
By John Edwards

The Tractor Supply advertisement, “A New Day” features the tag line: “EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LIFE.” I would like to make spiritual application of that in this study. I got to thinking about how God in His word, through His Son has given EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LIFE. Peter affirmed, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life…” (2 Pet. 1:3). Paul penned, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 points out: “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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Now, what is needed for life?

New Birth. We must be born to live! Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). This new birth is accomplished by the word of God. Peter taught, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:23). The Corinthians were reminded, “…in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15). James said, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth…” (Jas. 1:18). We need to be born spiritually, and everything we need for that to occur, God has fully supplied in His word!

Food To Grow. God’s desire for His children to grow may be summed up in two words: “But grow…” (2 Pet. 3:18). This requires food. Milk and meat (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12, 14), bread and water (Jn. 6:35; 4:14) have been provided.

Light In This Dark World. In teaching about putting on the whole armour of God, Paul spoke of “the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12). We need light to give us direction to find our way. The Psalmist declared, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5).

An Example To Follow. The example we need has been set by Jesus. He stated, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:15). It is written, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

Rules To Live By.  Where there are no rules, no one wins! According to 2 Timothy 2:5, “if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” That is, he must compete by the rules. The Bible is life’s rule book! “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule…” (Phil. 3:16). This book teaches us how to live. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12).

Strength For The Day. We are taught to “be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:1). It takes lots of strength to make it through life’s daily struggle. There is no greater source of strength to help you through it all than the Lord and His word! The Psalmist said, “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Psa. 119:28). Paul’s motto was: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

Hope For Tomorrow. God has given us all the hope that we need. The Psalmist looked to the word of the Lord for his hope. Look at these statements in Psalm 119: “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope” (vs. 49). “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word” (vs. 81). “…I hope in thy word” (vs. 114). “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope” (vs. 116). We are “saved by hope” (Rom. 8:24). Christ is our hope (Eph. 2:12; Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1). The hope that we have in Christ is made possible “by the resurrection” (1 Cor. 15:19; 1 Pet. 1:3). Paul wrote, “in hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2; 3:7). This serves as “an anchor of the soul” (Heb. 6:18-19).

Peace For The Mind. Someone says, “I need peace of mind.” It is available. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). The Psalmist recorded, “Great peace have they which love thy law…” (Psa. 119:165). There is peace in the Lord. Among the things Jesus left is peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace….” (Jn. 16:33).

Comfort In Affliction. Afflictions are a sad and difficult part of life. Thus, we need comfort. The Holy Spirit revealed, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Afflictions are but an expression of our need for God and His word. “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50). Paul wrote, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18).

Mind Stirring For The Memory. A good spiritual memory is needed for we are saved if we keep in memory (1 Cor. 15:2). When you need some mind-stirring, read 2 Peter. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (2 Pet. 2:1). The epistle of remembrance will put you in mind of that which will help you to be stedfast and unmovable (1 Cor. 15:58).

A Friend On Your Side. Jesus is our advocate, called to our side to plead our cause (1 Jn. 2:1). He said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (Jn. 15:14). There’s not a friend like Jesus!

Salvation For The Soul. Soul, a savior thou art needing, because of sin (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). The word saves. “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word” (Psa. 119:41). James appealed, “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10; Matt. 1:21; Lk. 2:11; Acts 4:12; Eph. 5:23; 1 Tim. 1:15). Everything we need to be saved, God has revealed in His word: faith, repentance, confession of faith, baptism, faithfulness (Rom. 10:17; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; Rev. 2:10).

There’s not a thing we need that God has not given! 

Self-Control
By James Hann

The Bible clearly teaches that Christians are to exercise temperance or self-control (2 Pet. 1:6) if we are to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).

There are those who profess to being Christians that do not exercise self-control and as a result they  lose their temper; they use speech not fitting for a Christian to use or engage in actions unbecoming to one wearing the name of Christ.

How can we develop self-control? Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “...bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” When our every thought is controlled by the desire to be obedient to Christ in all things we will be able to exercise the self-control expected of followers of Christ. – Collegevue church of Christ Bulletin, March 8, 2020.