"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. Heb 13:20-22

There is no substitute for scripture for equipping us "with everything good" for doing the will of God. The word of God is well able to make us "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 1Tim 3:5 Because of our weaknesses we tend to forget and need reminding about the precious hope revealed in Jesus Christ. Our day and age is materialistic and little thought is given to spiritual matters. Even for those who are of the household of faith it can be hard to find the time needed for prayerful Bible study and meditation upon the word of God. Amid the daily hustle and bustle of life time must be made to recharge our spiritual batteries, for there is a great need for strengthening faith in these last spiritually dark days before Jesus returns. If we are to be found diligently preparing for his return and if we are to develop characteristics that are pleasing to him, we must heed the words of scripture. God's word is the only antidote to the spiritual apathy that can easily affect any of us.

Jesus commanded that we must remember him each week by breaking bread, yet Paul warns: "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." 1Cor 11:28-29.  It is hoped that these exhortations given by various brethren will contribute towards providing the guidance, encouragement, and comfort from scripture that will help honest self examination.