Week 3 - Some Assembly Required

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Have you ever found yourself camped out on the middle of the living room floor for hours trying to assemble something you just purchased?  Maybe it was a bike for your child or a bookshelf for your home office?  If you're like many people, one of the first things you do is toss the instruction booklet aside.  After all, how complicated can it be?  But, like many frustrated consumers, you soon realize it's going to take a bit more thought and time than you anticipated before the finished product finally emerges.  As for the left over kickstand or that decorative piece of molding, well, you didn't really want those features in the first place, right?  I mean really, who does the manufacturer think he's dealing with?  Some amateur?  Yes, they designed the product and yes, they would know how best to assemble it.  But shouldn't I still be able to do things MY way?  After all, I paid for it, right?  Sound familiar?  Unfortunately this scenario plays out in many other areas of our lives. 

The book of Genesis details how God created Earth and all its inhabitants.  You might say God is the ultimate manufacturer!  And like any great manufacturer, he developed a very comprehensive instruction manual for his creation, that being the Bible.  In it you will find all the information you need to live the life you were created to live. 

Now, we can insist on doing things our way; God gives us that choice.  But why?  Why would we ever want anything less than the best for ourselves and our loved ones?  Don't you think that the one who created us would know what was best for us?  Still, how many devoted Christians go days, months or even years without ever reading God's word?  Beloved child of God, hear me on this one!  This is one instruction booklet you can't afford to toss aside!  You can't follow the Lord if you don't know the way.  Take time to read and absorb God's word.  It will be one of the greatest blessings you will ever experience!  "And the truth shall set you free".

~Up Close and Personal~

Can you think of a time in your life where you insisted on doing things your way only to realize later that you had ignored some valuable advice?

Have you ever found comfort and direction when you turned to scripture? 

Many people seek help from God's word when they are facing difficult times.  There are excellent resources available that lead us to the exact scripture we need based on our struggles.  If we need courage, these resources may lead us to 2 Kings 6:16.  If it's comfort we seek, we may be directed to turn to Matthew 11:28.  And although this practice affords us great help in some of our most difficult times, we may be missing out.  God has so much more in store for you!  His plans for you are better than you can even imagine.  In order to tap into all that our loving Father has waiting for us, we need to read His word on a consistent basis.  Do you struggle to devote regular time for reading God's word?  If you do, why do you think it's so difficult?

Did you know that reading God's word is a lot like drinking water?  At first it can be very difficult; maybe even unpleasant.  You may even question if you're doing yourself any good.  But if you persist, before long you develop an ever increasing thirst.  So much so, that missing out on just one glass of water or one day of reading leaves you feeling parched and depleted.  And as time goes on, the benefits to feeding your soul regularly with God's word will amaze you!  Wouldn't it stand to reason that if getting into God's word in a crisis is life-saving, then getting into His word every day would be life-preserving?  I mean really, who couldn't use a little preventative maintenance every now and then?

~Name It~

Read Psalm 119:105 aloud.

What is the promise in this scripture?

God's word lights our way.  It directs us in which way we should go.  So, the One who created it all, who loves us unconditionally and who always seeks what's best for us has given us written instructions on how we should live.  Maybe the question isn't why should we read God's word.  Maybe the question is why in the world wouldn't we?

~Claim It~

Dear Father, thank you so much for your word!  I pray that you would help me make reading it a priority in my life.  I can see now that I have been missing out on so much of what you lovingly offer me.  Create in me a thirst to know you.  Fill me with a renewed passion to study your word and help me apply it to my everyday life.  Forgive me when I insist on doing things my way.  Extend your loving grace to me when I fail to seek my answers from you. 

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.