The new eco-friendly dish detergent was super-concentrated, so I squirted much less than usual into the dishwasher. I cranked the knob and walked away. Minutes later, I heard a gurgling noise. Suds were bubbling out of the dishwasher and cascading onto the floor. After sopping up the mess, I read the label on the container: “Not for use with automatic dishwashers. Hand-wash only.” Ugh . . .
Sadly, my approach to life is often the same as my approach to washing the dishes—I jump right in without reading the directions. But God’s Word contains the instructions we need (Leviticus 18:5).
Paul pointed out that the Bible “teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16). In another letter, he outlined some of the basics: “Live peacefully with each other. . . . Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. . . . Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:13-16).
The Bible also makes us “realize what is wrong in our lives” (2 Timothy 3:16). Since “the Word of God is alive and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12), it speaks to us when we’re drooling over the neighbor’s new car . . . you must not covet. It whispers, you must not steal, when we could easily exaggerate business expenses. God’s Word shows us our sin (Romans 7:7).
When I become blind to my sin and when I “forget” how God wants me to live, His Word reminds me. The more I read the Bible, the more Scripture soaks into my soul, where it can cleanse my conduct. This is how as Christians we become “[equipped] . . . to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).
More:
Read Psalm 119:97-104 to see the benefits of reading God’s Word. Read Deuteronomy 8:11-14 to learn why it’s important to read and remember God’s Word.
Next:
What’s the connection between reading the Bible and a God- honoring lifestyle? Why is it so difficult to read the Bible regularly? How can you read God’s Word more consistently?
jstabel on January 14, 2011 at 7:16 am
A reason we use as an escape route in not reading the bible is-no time.We are always ‘busy’ with ‘facebooking’,’online chatting’,’watching movies’,’video-gaming’ and the rest,while the main reason we do not read the bible is because it exposes our ‘dark’ places and bad/wrong habits which we do not really want to let go.Unless we really seek God’s instruction about life we would never find reading the bible ‘interesting’.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 14, 2011 at 10:00 am
Yes, and in order to seek God’s instruction about life, we have to believe that we need it in the first place! Staying busy sometimes makes us forget this important fact. Thanks for your comment!
eppistle on January 14, 2011 at 7:27 am
As I was trying to decide how to respond to this devotional, my 17-year-old dog made a smelly “accident” on the rug behind me. She’s a sweet old dog, but has lost control of her bodily functions and does this every once in awhile. I momentarily lost control of my patience and then the Holy Spirit reminded me of His inspired Word I just read a few moments ago: “Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (I Thess. 5:14). That includes other species besides the Homo Sapien.
This is why it’s so important to read the Scriptures every day. We build up a data base of inspired Scripture that the Holy Spirit can bring to our mind at just the right moment. Now if I can just remember to take tender care of those who are weak without losing my patience.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 14, 2011 at 9:57 am
This is a great example of how God’s Word can “clean up our conduct”. I love it when a verse of scripture comes to mind at just the right moment, as it did with you, eppistle. “Take tender care of those who are weak” is a great reminder for those of us who care for young children, aging parents, or maybe even a sick spouse–and of course our faithful canine friends. 🙂
AManofGod on January 14, 2011 at 10:53 am
This devotional is so appropriate for me! I have heard some say “men” never read directions (and YES I am guilty of that) but in life we really do need God’s direction! Whenever I have tried to lean on my own understanding I screw up…….usually in grand fashion! I am learning more and more every day to lean on the Word in how I should act and interact with others. Those who love me and those who hate me should be dealt with accoding to God’s rules not my rules or the rules of earthly men.
I’m working on this mightily! Thanks for this inspiring devotional!
AManofGod
daisymarygoldr on January 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm
AManofGod, just wanted to let you know that you are in my daily prayers. Stay strong in the Lord and He will surely see to it that a double portion of everything you have lost is duly restored back to you.
If I don’t lead a God-honoring lifestyle, then the mirror of God’s Word will reveal it to me. I can either do something about it or continue until I stumble and fall. Do relate to that dishwasher situation but unfortunately life is not an inanimate object. It often takes trouble to turn us back to God and His Word. Sadly, by then we are already in the middle of a mess and life will have fallen apart.
Although it is a shame but sometimes I think if it takes trouble to drive me back to the Bible, then so be it. The danger to such thinking is that it could drive me away from God instead of the other way around. That is one of the reasons many get disillusioned and abandon their faith.
Hence, it is good to get into the habit of reading my Bible regularly even when things are going good and life seems to be perfect. When I read God’s word it strengthens and sustains me spiritually like food does to my physical body. And if I eat regularly then it should not be difficult to read God’s Word regularly.
How often I eat is determined by how hungry I am. When a newborn, our baby used to wake up every 2 hrs to feed. The frequency of feeding on God’s word is a clear indication of the spiritual growth in a person’s life (1Pet 2:2).
It must be noted that the Bible is more than a manual of instructions. It certainly holds all the basic instructions but we may not find specific guidance for everything—for gray areas that we may encounter in life.
Since God has revealed Himself in the written Word, by reading it daily I get to know Him (not about Him) in a very personal and intimate sense—to the point where we become one to think alike i.e. I can no longer think contrary to what His word says. And that deep knowledge itself answers everything I need to know in life and it also guides my every step to keep my feet from slipping from His path (Ps 37:31).
AManofGod on January 14, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Thank you so much DaisyMaryGoldr! When other Christians pray for me it strengthens me more than you know! I know God has so much in store for me that these stumbling blocks of life will build my faith and my character. God will never put more on us than we can handle!
I am living proof of that truth!
Be Blessed!
AManofGod