Owner’s Manual

I avoid owners manuals like the plague. If I can’t figure out how to use something then it isn’t easy enough. I get irritated if it doesn’t make sense or I can’t make it work the way I want it to work. Then if I actually have to find the owner’s manual, I grumble, complain, and sometimes I give up.

Unfortunately I often treat life that way. It isn’t easy so I get irritated. I want it to work my way and when it doesn’t I throw a fit. I try everything I can imagine to get life to go my way and to work. I attempt to use my gifts and talents like I do a phone or computer. Straight out of the box. I expect that I can do it, on my own with no manual.

The truth is that God gave us a manual for life, The Bible. The catch is we actually have to read it. Joshua 1:8 says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Our lives will be successful in God’s eyes, if we remember He says and do it. We can only do this if we read His word. The owner’s manual of life has transforming power in our lives. Oh that I would allow God’s Word to change my life.

So my question for today is what are you doing to make sure you spend time with God’s Word every day? I can’t wait to hear your ideas.

My Not-So-Spiritual SIGH!

I got behind. Out of routine, out of time, out of sync.

Behind in my Chronological Bible reading. I needed to read half of the March 27th reading and all of March 28th reading on March 28th.

Reading the Bible in chronological order means I am in the Old Testament and will be for most of the year. The Old Testament is filled with genealogies, lists of names, strange geographical locations, and extensive descriptions of how to build a tabernacle. Don’t get me wrong, I know that all these things have meaning and reason and order. In fact, I ask God as I read these things to teach me what I need to learn.

Even so, the rebel sigh still escapes my lips as I see a mind numbing list of names I have no hope of pronouncing. So I closed my Bible in my fatigue on March 27th, wondering why I needed a recap of what I just read about who Israel had defeated in their conquest of the Promised Land.

Sweet Rest...

Today as I wrestled with doubts, frustrations, wondering why God is bringing me down a certain road, pondering longing and it remaining unfulfilled, questioning my next steps, I opened my Bible to get caught up. Not only to say I had read my Bible for March 28th, but also to spend some quiet with my LORD. Oh how I needed quiet.

In that raw place I my eyes read Joshua 12 with the heading “A List of Defeated Kings.” My first inclination was to sigh, but my sigh caught in my throat as I came face to face with what I needed. What I need when doubt attempts to tie me down and fear attempts to turn me from my God ordained plow. I need a list. I need a list of kings defeated in my life – defeated only by God’s hand.

I need a list of sin I have overcome through God, of God ordained “coincidences,” of victories in my Spiritual Journey. I need a list. A list that I can bring out to remind myself what God has done and what He is doing in my life. A list that drives away doubt, that reminds me of God’s miraculous provision, that screams of God’s sovereignty during dark times, that recounts when God ordered my steps for His purposes. Yes I need a list in my life, a prayer journal full of God’s answers, a blog recounting what God has taught me, a friend or loved one who walked the road with me and can remind me of my list.

Do you have a list? How do you keep your list? Do you want to start one? I challenge you to start a list with me…Tuesdays at Rethinking My Thinking will become our List Days. Days to share what God is doing in our lives. I can’t wait to hear what He is doing in your lives!

Mentors and Mentees

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

What a great promise that God is there before us, is with us, and never leaves us. Do you know who is speaking these words? It is Moses, the man who talked to God as a man talks to his friends. He was the man that led the Israelites out of Egypt. He was talking to Joshua, the man who was going to lead these headstrong people into the promised land.

So you have a man who has walked with God, a man who has seen God work in his life. He has made mistakes and yet God continues to use him. He is building into the life of a younger man.

Are you a mentor for others? Are you like Moses experiencing God in your daily life, living for Him, and sharing what He is doing? Do you have a mentor? Are you watching someone who has walked through your stage of life? Do you have someone telling you wonderful truths about God and His grace and faithfulness?

I encourage you to share with others what God is teaching you through His word and to find someone who will encourage you in your relationship with God.

Consider praying that God gives you mentor and mentee opportunities in your life. Pray that God will give you eyes to see Him working in your life that you may share what He is doing.

If you have a mentor would you share how you developed that relationship? If you are a mentor would you also share how you developed the relationship?

I can’t wait to hear from you!