Read the Instructions!
Important Please Read…
Recently, I purchased an unassembled outdoor dog cage consisting of approximately 910 pieces. It came with a set of instructions which read “IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU COMMENCE ASSEMBLY. Follow the guidelines in this user guide to ensure correct assembly and care for this product.” In this case, I began by reading the instructions. I haven’t always done that in the past. Many times in my life I thought I could tackle a project without first reading the instructions. I thought this doesn’t look that difficult! I can figure this out on my own, only to find out later I should have read the instructions and plans first.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this! This time I did my best to follow the instructions and plans that were provided. Even though I did, I still made a few mistakes. Fortunately, they were minor mistakes which were easily fixed. Someone had designed/created this outdoor dog cage with all of its parts, tools and instructions/diagrams/plans in such detail as to be able to ensure correct assembly of a properly working outdoor dog cage. Obviously, this doesn’t happen by accident; this is a small part of a much larger manufacturing, advertising, sales and distribution plan.
I believe the Bible is the Word of God brought into existence for a purpose. This is part of God’s plan. Do you believe that also?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
All of the Word of God is given by inspiration of God and is beneficial for what’s right, for what’s not right, for how to get right and for how to stay right: That the man of God may be complete, having all that he requires to carry out the work God has called him to do.
The word inspiration, used in 2 Timothy 3:16; means “God Breathed Out”. This word describes the action of the Holy Spirit as he super-intended the transmitting, receiving and the transcribing of God’s message to the human writers. As each writer received God’s divine message, his own personality and background can be seen in the words of that message, all the while recording the very words of God.
The Bible is much more than a mere instruction manual. The Bible reveals God’s nature and character, His relationship with man, His redemptive plan of Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ and much more.
I believe we have the same authoritative and trustworthy Word of God today. As Christians (followers of Christ) the Bible is our only authority for what we believe and what we practice.
I believe in God by faith. Do you believe in God by faith?
Important please read…
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Recently we purchased a vehicle. We went to the Credit Union and requested a certified check for the amount due. The check itself is not the money, but represents the money that is held by the Credit Union. The check was accepted by the dealership as payment because they believe in the trustworthiness of the institution and the certified check they issued. This is a promise guaranteed by the Credit Union. Faith gives substance to things hoped for and a firmly held belief in things not yet seen.
Faith takes God at his word. God’s word certifies its reality.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
God says it’s impossible to please him without faith! To come to God we must first believe he exists and that he rewards those that diligently seek him.
Faith is your personal belief, trust and complete reliance on who God is and what he has done through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (righteous satisfaction) for our sins.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
I believe in the God of creation and order. Do you believe in the God of creation and order?
As human beings, we don’t owe our existence to a series of random accidents over millions and billions of years that somehow assembled themselves into a human being. You would never believe the outdoor dog cage came into existence by itself and somehow it just assembled itself over time, would you? That doesn’t make any sense, does it? The second law of thermodynamics, states that within any isolated system, the tendency is for things to move from a state of order to a state of disorder or randomness. Over time, things naturally become more chaotic and less structured. My garage doesn’t keep itself organized. Over time it becomes more cluttered and disorganized if I don’t put any effort into cleaning it up.
Important please read…
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Please read Genesis 1:2-25
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Please read Genesis 1:28-31, 2:1-6
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God created man in his own image; male and female created he them. No other part of God’s creation has that distinction. Man is the pinnacle of God’s creation. God places immeasurable value on a human being’s life. God is the creator and giver of life. Man became a living soul!
I believe God loves you and has a plan for you. Do you believe God loves you and has a plan for you?
Important please read…
Psalms 139:13-6 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
We are individually created by God and have the intrinsic value God has placed upon each and every one of us. God declares human life begins at conception. An unborn baby is a human being, a person. God knows the baby before he forms the baby in the mother’s womb. Before the baby is even born, he has a perfect plan and purpose for that life. That means God has a perfect plan and purpose for your life. When this physical earthly life ends our souls will live on for all of eternity in one of two places.
Hopefully, you know these truths. Unfortunately, there are people all around us who are unaware of these basic truths which are taught in the Bible. The Bible… Important Please Read!
Perhaps you have questions. Please reach out to us. We would love to be of assistance to you.
Edwin Walter
Member of the Board, BFLW
First Baptist Church, New Lisbon, WI