2 Timothy 3:16

If you look in your nifty study Bibles, you can see at the beginning of each book it has a section for "author."  Usually here, it lists the name of an individual who physically wrote that book.  

I want to put something into perspective for us today, using the following passage as my main focal point: 

2 Timothy 3:16-"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"

Another way to say God-breathed could be "inspired by God."  So, let's connect the dots here...
Matthew was written by Matthew according to our study-Bible layouts.  However, it was inspired by God.  Matthew didn't just write a story...he wrote the very words of God.  God spoke these words to His "instruments" and they proclaimed it with full confidence. 

"But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man [Saul] is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.'" Acts 9:15 (emphasis added by me) 

Saul (soon to be Paul) was a normal human without any special abilities...he was like you and me.  He only had more earthly powers, but nothing supernatural that you and I don't possess already.  It is not our own power that makes us stand out.  The only thing that makes us "special" is that the Holy Spirit inside of us stirs within us and speaks truth that we may be called to proclaim...if we are willing to hear it and respond:

Jeremiah 31:10-"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands..."

2 Timothy 4:2-"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."

In case you didn't see anything from this, I want to put these two 2 Timothy verses one after the other for your visual convenience:

2 Timothy 4:2-"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."

2 Timothy 3:16-"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"

It says the same thing, but it doesn't:  4:2 says to preach the Word (Word of God...not limited to scripture alone).  3:16 focuses on the scriptures alone and how they are all inspired by God.  My point, God still speaks to us today.  We serve a God who was and is and will always be the same God.  He never changes.  I am not saying to add a "Totally New Testament" to the Bible...but God chooses some of us to speak and proclaim His spoken words and visions to others around us.  Our God sits on the throne and reigns, but He wants to be personal with you.  He wants to converse with you and show you amazing things. 

Christ is a treasure worth more than anything we can receive on earth.  If we don't understand that, we won't want to give it all.  If we don't want to give it all, we can't follow Him.  If we can't follow Him, we can't be intimate with Him.

(Phil 3:8, Luke 14:33, Matt. 10:37, Matt. 13:44)

God calls all of you to a different task.  He has given you special gifts to produce fruit and bring glory to Him alone.  However, I believe we can have more than one gift from the Spirit, and I feel we can all pursue the same ones. 

1 Corinthians 12-14

(14:1-3 "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.  For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.  On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.")

You're Heavenly Father is calling you and showing you your task...are you listening?