Today’s Inspiration. Today, as yesterday, we turn to 2 Timothy 3:16 for our challenge inspiration:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (NIV)
Today’s Challenge. Your challenge today is both simple and profound—if you allow it to wash over you, to seep through you, to penetrate your heart and mind and soul. Today, explore the question “What does Paul mean by saying ‘all Scripture is God-breathed’—and what does this imply for me?”
If you’re not sure where to begin, once again I’ll suggest trying Bible Hub (I really love this site! And nope, not getting paid to say that). Look at the ways different versions of the Bible interpret the words. Look at the cross references. Look at the commentary. Look at the Greek it was written in, and see how it compares to the words used in other places in the Bible (was it? Look at that!). Do your best to understand the words God-breathed, and then think through what this means, what Paul is implying. If all Scripture is God-breathed, what does that mean for you and me? What does it mean for the part the Bible is to play in our lives?
Today’s Participation. There are few more important questions than what you believe the Bible is, which is, after all, what I’m challenging you to ask yourself today. As a Christian (and sometimes as a non-Christian), the answers to this question can change the way you live your life. So for today’s participation, write out your version of the statement, “I believe the Bible is _______________, so __________________.” What is it, to you? Do you believe it is God-breathed? If so, what does that imply, or mean to you?
Write it in a journal, tell someone about it, comment below, or create an Instagram post and use the hashtag #writinglifeaugustchallenge. I would love to hear from you!
Writing Life: Faith, Failings, & Grace 
My answer to this challenge is posted on Instagram—you can check it out @rhondalorraineblog for the visual (it’s also linked in the blog).
The text that accompanies it, though—I struggled with that. To pare it down to an Instagram-worthy length is difficult for wordy me, but this is what I posted in my caption:
I believe the Bible is the word of God, so I must live by it.
I believe the Bible is the word of God. From Genesis to Revelation it’s the story of his redeeming love for us. But stating that belief and living by it are two different things. Living by God’s word means being in, but not of, the world; it means giving up friends, respect, even oneself, for the sake of trusting God and taking him at his word. Is that a cost you are willing to pay?
I am, with God’s help. Because I do take God at his word: The cost is nothing compared to God’s redeeming love (Matthew 16:25-26).
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