1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

My wife would be the first to tell you that I am not a direction reader. I don't know what it is, but when it goes to putting something together, too often, I will be quick to just jump into it and start putting parts where 'I think' they should go rather than taking the time to read the instructions and see where things 'really' should go. Consequently, though it may take a little longer in the beginning, my wife will get the job done faster and right. Whereas, I will end up taking longer, getting frustrated and the project we are working on may or may not work properly.

God's word is the ultimate instruction manual which provides everything we need to have a fruitful and productive life. Failure to heed its instruction and exhortations can result in lost time and inefficiency in how we live our lives. Timothy was a young pastor in Ephesus, who was going through the challenges of pastoring a growing church with all of its challenges. Rather than Paul telling Timothy his opinion, he pointed him to the eternal instruction manual. "Take heed to the doctrine," Paul said, "continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."

With the Holy Spirit prompting us as we read, the bible is the greatest safeguard to our lives that has ever existed. Listen to what Moses said about God's word when giving his final instructions to the Israelites, "For it [God's word] is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess," Deut 32:47. Is God's word futile to you, or is it your life? Oh that we would always recognize it for what it is, read it daily and let it direct our lives. For indeed, it is true, as Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," Matt 4:4.

Father God, how grateful we are for the inerrant instruction manual that you have preserved for us. May the Holy Spirit direct us in understanding all that it is telling us to do. May we embrace it this week in the manner that Moses declared it to be, 'our life'. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

God bless you my dear brothers and sisters as you delight in His word this week. May it be a tremendous encouragement to you, filling your hearts with an overwhelming confidence of God's endless love for you.