RESOURCES

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come – and the BOOKS, especially the parchments – 2 Timothy 4:13

God is the Source of all things of Value and Virtue: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17). Every other person or thing is a Re-source – that which is released by the Source. Only the Almighty can provide and guarantee all that it would take to experience transformed attitudes. No one can change another person’s attitude except God is in the picture. There are two fundamental sets of resources that God has provided to enhance our ability to make positive attitudinal choices: the Bible and other books (including new, non-manual versions of both).

The Bible: the Word of God has been instrumental in changing the attitudes and lives of many human derelicts from negativity, defeat, and hopelessness to positivity, victory and outstanding achievement. The Living Word transforms our lives by renewing our minds, reviving our souls and restoring our bodies to wholeness. The inspirational power in the Word clears the cobwebs of wrong thinking and wrong believing that we have grown up with, and purifies us in thoughts, attitudes and actions. Let’s reflect on a few relevant scriptures that underline the place of the Word in heart- and mind-transformation:

• How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word (Psa.119:9)
• Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You (Psa.119:11)
• I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Your testimonies are my meditation (Psa.119:99)
• Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Psa.119:105)
• The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Psa.119:130)

Paul reminded Timothy, his son in the faith, of the significant role of Scriptures in defining attitudes, decisions, and actions: “But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 Tim.3: 14-17). The Bible, the Word of God is the Christian’s Number One Resource from transformation.

The second set of Resources refers to Books: Inspirational and motivational books, video or audio messages, packaged or published by Christian authors and ministers with proven and positive life-testimonies. Much benefit can be derived and extracted from these. Such resources motivate us to achieve God’s plans for our lives, as they often share the enviable examples of those who have succeeded or are succeeding in life, with their dignity and integrity intact. Paul, the apostle, a man of the Book, wrote to Timothy: “When you come, bring…the books, especially the parchments” (2Tim.4:13). However, no book must ever become a replacement for the Bible, which remains in a class of its own.

Other resources can only supplement the Scriptures: they help us to appreciate and comprehend the truths of the Bible better; aid the refilling of our wells of inspiration; and make their practical life-applications easier. Reading such books makes a full person. There is no better time to embrace the Book than in these last days, which the apostle describes in these words: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2Tim.4:3-4). These are days when godly attitudes are being seriously challenged and even eroded. But those who hold firm to the Book and the Truth will endure, stand, and stand-out amidst the rust of unrighteousness.