Devotional - Read the Manual


pub-3751615692135036

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

 

In November of 2014 I bought my first smartphone, and it was then that I realized how incredibly low tech I was – well at least, when it comes on to smart phones. As I tried to navigate my new phone, I grew increasingly frustrated as I had no manual to guide me, and I did not know what to do.  I had been under the assumption that a manual was part of the package when I bought the phone, as I was accustomed to. But when I got home, I realized that I was wrong. The leaflet in the box contained very basic information about the phone. It was by no means an in-depth guide, thus I was clueless how to even make or receive   calls.

After reading the fine print, I realized that a complete manual could be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Joy! After downloading the manual and doing some reading, I was better able to navigate the phone. I was now able to do the things I couldn’t do before.   I could make and receive calls by following the procedures, not doing it how I felt it should be done. The manual made all the difference.

It’s the same way with the Christian life. We sometimes end up in difficulties because we try to do things on our own and in our way instead of reading the manual – God’s word. In it we find instructions on how to live and relate to others, how to overcome sin, how to navigate life. The manual, God’s word, can make all the difference in our lives if we admit that by ourselves, we are helpless. When we follow it, we eliminate some of the stress and strain of this world and can thus experience the abundant life that the Father has in store for us. Like the Psalmist, we should hide it in our hearts. Make it a priority to read and study our life manual – God’s Word.

 

Reflection

What are the dangers that you face by neglecting to read God’s word on a regular basis?

If you have been neglecting God’s word, what steps will you be willing to take to making it a priority?

How do you think this will benefit you?

 

Prayer

Father, forgive us of trying to do life our way. We confess that we have missed the mark by doing things our way. Help us to come into alignment with your will for our lives by acquainting ourselves with your Word – the manual that you have given to us. Help us to hide your word in our heart that we might not sin against you. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 5, 2022 at 10:21 AM

    Very inspirational message. Thanks Lona, hope I will be able to read daily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lona D. IsaacsApril 6, 2022 at 5:18 AM

      You are most welcome. Just take it one day at a time.

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 8, 2022 at 6:29 AM

    A very powerful and applicable message.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lona D. IsaacsApril 8, 2022 at 11:55 AM

    Thank you. When we follow His Word we can never go wrong

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nadine BApril 10, 2022 at 9:23 AM

    Very good word Lona.


    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POEM - Mama Was A Wise One

  Mama Was a Wise One   Mama was a wise one, she had a way with words, Mama was a wise one, mek mi tell yuh weh she used to seh!   Scornful dawg nyam dutty puddn, chicken merry, hawk deh near And when you ears too hard, she seh who cyaa hear will feel   Mama was a wise one, she taught us how to save She seh one one cocoa full basket, good advice she always gave   Mama was a wise one, leading us along the right path She taught us how to be patient, to meekly wait and murmur not   Mama was a wise one, she taught us how to pray Gentle Jesus meek and mild, each night at bedtime we would say   Mama was a wise one, she taught us the value of stability To stand our ground and not fool around, for a rolling stone gathers no moss.   Mama was a wise one, she taught us to be thrifty Not to compete with the Joneses, but to hang our basket where we can reach it   Mama was a wise one, she taught us to have a plan B Not to be swayed by so-so words, for
Read more

Devotional - A New Lease on Life

pub-3751615692135036   Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ...”  Romans 8:11  (MSG)   It is said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and I recently had a personal experience that proves that this saying is quite true. Recently, I threw out an old fan which I had bought years ago when I started working after leaving University. Though it could still function somewhat, it wasn’t as effective as when I first bought it. Constant use over the years had started to take its toll.   It could no longer rotate; it had started to rust and the head was almost severed from the trunk. To me, it was not worth fixing. It seemed useless so I threw it out. Out with the old, in with the new. To my surprise, within a few hours it had found a new owner. My neighbour took it from the garbage heap, cleaned it off, used a piece of cloth to tie the almost severed head and in no time, he had a “new”
Read more

Devotional - A Divinely Ordained Delay (Part 2)

The steps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord…Psalm 37:23   Recently I saw a post on Facebook which said that sometimes God delays us where we are because He knows that there is a storm ahead.  I was really encouraged as I meditated on this thought.  Our loving Father, who sees danger ahead, prevents us from moving forward as the danger ahead is not part of His plan for us. Then a few days later as I was chitchatting with my co-worker, she related how the previous afternoon she was delayed at the office until 6 pm as she could not find her car keys. She had retraced her steps to areas of the office that she had been to before and searched her bag several times. She even emptied the contents and searched the various compartments of her bag to no avail. At the end of her rope, she called out to God in her distress. Immediately, He answered by telling her to check her bag one more time. Of course, she resisted the idea because she had checked several times before.  Nevert
Read more

Words of Inspiration - Gratitude Is a Must!

  As I walked through my neighborhood early one morning this week, my heart overflowed with joy and gratitude. As I took in the sights and sounds, felt the cool breeze, and saw the sun slowly spread out its warm rays, I gave thanks to God for such wonderful blessings.  I looked towards the lush green mountains I was reminded of Psalm 121,' I will lift my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the maker of heaven and earth'. Casting my gaze to the intersection where the mountains kissed the sky, Psalm 19 came to mind, 'The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork'. God's green earth and magnificent heaven were certainly on display and I thank God that I was blessed with sight to be a witness of this spectacle. I then began to reflect on my own personal situation. The little C had found me but you would never know if I did not tell you. I was down but certainly not out. I was just experiencing a little bump i
Read more

Devotional - Hidden Things

pub-3751615692135036 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run  with perseverance  the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12: 1   I was pleasantly surprised when what was hidden came to light. I had just bought a new fridge and two of my neighbours were assisting by taking it into the apartment. In order to create additional space at the entrance to the living room, some furniture had to be moved out of the way. It was then that I got my big surprise. Hidden behind the furniture were items I had long forgotten about, things of value that could certainly be put to good use. What were those things? A phone charger and a key ring. How did they get there? I have no idea. As I pondered what had happened, I could immediately see the parallels in our lives. Often there are hidden things in our lives that can only be revealed when we remove the ‘furniture’ aka blockages
Read more