I am not always fond of instruction manuals. I want to bypass all those pages and simply put the pieces together to create the finished product. But God has taught me the value of instruction manuals, with the need to start from the beginning of a set of instructions, and not skipping any steps until I have completed whatever I’m assembling.

I remember putting together a new vacuum cleaner many years ago. When I finished, I’d left off one piece, a piece that was for convenience.  There was no turning back, or the ability to take it apart, and attach this specifically designed piece into its proper place. Thus, for the years I had that vacuum, I was inconvenienced because I failed to see the value of reading and following instructions.

Most recently I purchased a crate with a handle and wheels. It looked simple. There were only a few moving parts, but its designer had put two small rails into the design to stiffen the sides. When I saw the pieces, I figured they were for hanging something from the side walls of the crate.  As that was not how I planned to use it, I figured I didn’t need to do anything with them. But God nudged me, and so I read the instructions. Turns out those two pieces were instrumental in the overall functioning of the crate. Those pieces kept the sides from collapsing. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the nudge!

Shortcuts, unless it is a keyboard shortcut, are generally not productive.

Our Designer has provided His “instruction manual” for our use. The Bible – The Word of God – was penned by men who were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our Designer, has created each of us individually. Why? We were created and designed by Him to carry out His purposes. 

How do we know those purposes? We read His “instruction manual”. All of God’s Word is profitable for our lives. Genesis provides the basis for the next sixty-five books, and each book is a part of His complete message to us. It might be easier to think of each book as a chapter in His complete revelation to mankind. Leave out one chapter, and you will miss vital instructions.

God’s instructions provide us with guidance so that we can accurately know Him. We cannot know Him in His entirety, because He IS God! He is infinite, and we are finite. It is almost like the cart I recently assembled. The only instructions I was given were to put what they provided into its final working order. I don’t know what went into its initial design and creation. I don’t need that information for my use of the cart. The manufacturer provided what I needed for my purpose. 

This is what God does for us in His Word. He provides us with what we need to carry out the purpose(s) for which He designed us. We get waylaid by trying to skip the next step or hurry along what is provided in His Word. 

God knows everything, therefore, I don’t need to know more than what He provides in His Word. That is why my relationship with Him is one of faith. Faith in Him alone. 

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

Let’s consider a car’s instruction manual. You might be able to get into a new car today and not read anything in the manual, but even those who work for the dealerships need to check their manual because of all the new technological features installed in vehicles today. I learned that firsthand when I bought a new van last year. Without having had instructions on the new items, I could drive the van, but I wasn’t going to utilize all the safety features of that vehicle without instructions.

As Christians, we can go a bit without reading God’s Word on our own, coasting off the bits of knowledge we gain from sermons and other Bible teachings. But God provided us with His Word so that we would not simply coast, but that we would gain access to all that He has for us through His Word so that we can live abundantly in relationship with Him.

Matthew 6:33 urges us to: “…seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” I’m all about having everything God wants to provide for me. I want every benefit He offers, but unless I spend time with Him in His Word, I won’t know what He has planned for me or how much He loves me.

You might compare this to an employee manual. Some larger companies offer amazing discounts and benefits to their employees. However, unless you read the manual, you will likely only hear about a few of them. You could save money on car insurance, movie tickets, etc. Why miss out on those because you won’t take time to read the employee manual?

God’s benefits are far greater than any earthly benefit. Why pass any of His benefits up because you skip God’s instruction manual, the Bible? 

What are some of God’s benefits?

God offers us eternal life (John 3:16).

God offers us amazing peace (John 14:27). 

God offers us hope for all eternity (Romans 15:13). 

God offers us security (Isaiah 41:10).

God offers us prosperity (Matthew 5:5).

God offers us friendship (John 15:14).

God offers us joy (Isaiah 35:10).

God offers us access to His strength (Exodus 15:2).

God offers us….so much more.

His Word provides more than a lifetime of benefits! 

Why not make a commitment to spending time with God, in His Word, every day? You have absolutely nothing to lose, and every benefit to gain!

If I can help you in this commitment, please contact me at the email below.

Living for Jesus, Donna

ButGodCares@gmail.com

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Extra verses to consider: 

Romans 10:7: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

1 Corinthians 2:5: “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2021 Donna Shappy

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

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