Bible Study Verse
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do. (NIV)
Thoughts
Men are bad at thinking that we know how to do everything. We don't need to ask anybody for instructions. I'm guilty of this at times.
Take for example, you buy a new fishing reel and it comes with a detailed instruction booklet on all the parts and what to service regularly. "I don't need that," you say, and it ends up in the trash. Six months to a year later you take the reel apart to service it and can't figure out how one pesky spring goes back into the side plate. Where's the instruction book?
Another example, you're meeting a friend at a certain marina on the lake for an early morning fishing trip. "Do you need instructions on how to get there?" he asks. "Nah, I can find it okay." Thirty minutes late and you can't find the marina.
(Tom B)
Action Point
God has given us an instruction book, the Bible. It lists everything we need to know for our lives. It even has sections on what to check if something isn't working right in our lives. "Nah, I don't need it; I can figure it out."
Ten years from now, your kids don't respect you, your personal finances are a mess, or your health is failing. The list might be long or short. It doesn't have to be 10 years later, it could be tomorrow.
Where's the instruction book? Maybe I should have read the instruction book earlier. It's never too late to begin to follow God's Word.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Keep those instruction and parts books that come with everything you purchase. No matter whether it's a sporting goods item or something around the house, set up a file. Eventually you will need the help they provide. Also, don't forget to send in the warranty and registration cards.
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