Date: January 14th 2010

Instructions Are Included

Can you imagine a world where there are no instructions included? Buy a toy with “some assembly required,” but no directions. Buy a car…but there’s no owner’s manual. Buy a computer…with no “Geek Squad.” How about…get a life…but figure it out for your own self! Isn’t it nice to know that God gave us an Instruction Manual called the Bible! Isn’t it awesome that we can get up each morning, open up the Word and see what we are to do with the day ahead of us…how we are to act, what we are to say, where we are to put our focus, why we are even here in the first place? Yes, all these questions and so many more are answered in God’s Word. Are we using what God gave us to its greatest potential? Or, are we setting the instructions aside and trying to piece this life together on our own?

Where are some of those answers we’re looking for each day?
Let’s open up the Word of God and take a look:

What are we to do with the day ahead of us?

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

How are we to act?

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
James 2:12-13

What are we to say?

“In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.”
Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

Where are we to put our focus?

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)

Why are we even here in the first place?

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

And these are only a few questions that our Instruction Manuel addresses, and only one of many answers to each of these questions. It’s all in there; God’s Word is alive and speaks to us in so many different ways. We can read a verse today and it will give us guidance, and then we may read the same verse three years from now and it will speak to us in a very different way and yet totally apply to the new situation we are facing. Open the Good Book, it is fascinating! Read until you come to a phrase or a word that speaks to your heart, stop there for a bit, talk it over with God, and ask Him what He would like you to know about it, or do about it, or simply be with it in Him…resting. The Bible is comforting. Sometimes, all you need to do is pick it up, hold it tight to your chest and thank God for giving us such a marvelous work of His love for us. It’s always there to have and to hold.