The statutes You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy…By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. —Psalm 119:138, 19:11
Just about every major purchase comes with a manual. Whether it’s a dishwasher, oven, stovetop, washing machine, hair dryer, car, lawn mower, leaf blower—you name it—there are instructions somewhere to help the user get the most from the product and ensure it works properly.
Have you ever wished that your life also came with a manual? Amazingly, it does! But as I read the news headlines and observe modern day culture, many people don’t seem to be reading it. Even if some do read it, they seem to think that following God’s directions are optional. Why do I think that? Because we are in such a chaotic mess. I’m reminded of a gift my husband and I gave our daughter Morrow one Christmas....
When Morrow was about three years old, she wanted a tricycle. Danny and I purchased one that needed to be assembled. I asked Danny to put it together in time for us to have it sitting out on Christmas morning, but he kept procrastinating. He waited until after the children had gone to bed Christmas Eve to tackle the project. When he opened the box and pulled out the pieces, his comment was “This is so simple any dummy could put it together”. But by the time he finished assembling it, every wheel went in a different direction, and the handlebars were tilted. Only then did he look into the box and pull out a white sheet of paper labeled Manufacturer’s Directions for Assembly: Read carefully. Of course, by that time it was too late. He couldn’t get the nuts and bolts to loosen for readjustment, so the tricycle never did roll in a straight line as it was intended to.
Much like Danny put that tricycle together, many people seem to just guess their way through life. By the time they’ve made a mess and life doesn’t work, they turn to alcohol, drugs, pleasure, sex, another job, or, as crazy as it seems, another gender identity.
How will they know there are directions for life if you and I don’t point them to the Bible where the directions are found? The Bible is the Creator’s manual for life. It needs to be read and followed carefully if all of us want to avoid the crooked mess our guessing can get us into.
God is the one who designed life in the first place. He knows how it functions best and has given practical directions for us to achieve the fullest possible extent of joy and happiness. His directions are like the road markings on a highway.
When I drive down the highway, painted lines on the pavement provide helpful guidance. A dotted white line lets me know that if the lane of oncoming traffic is clear, I can pass other cars. A solid line means no passing is allowed. The highway department is not trying to take away my joy in driving. The lines on the road are intended to keep me safe, and keep others safe, while I’m on my way to my destination. You and I can push the boundaries that God has established, but we do so at our own peril. If we go outside His “road markings”, the likelihood is that we will get hurt, as well as hurt other people. At the very least, we will experience life on a lower level than He intended. The alternative is to take God at His Word, stay within His boundaries, follow His directions, and trust Him to know what’s best for us. This begs the question, What if you have made a mess already, gone outside God’s road markings, hurt yourself or someone else, and now want to live according to God’s directions? The first step is simply to tell Him. Be honest. Whether you have been living in ignorance of His guidelines or in rebellion against them, tell Him what you have done, where you are, and that you want to start living as He directs.1 God loves you, will come alongside and lead you on the right path.
We are launching our new website that has been prayerfully designed to help you follow His directions and stay within His guidelines. While you can easily find specific things you are looking for on the new site, you can also embark on a faith journey. Whether you are someone who wants to find God or who wants to know God better or who wants to grow deeper in faith or who wants to share your faith, we offer a faith journey for you. Let us come alongside and walk with you. It would be our joy as together we discover and experience the great reward He promises for those who read, study, love, and live by His Word. And what is the great reward? Besides a life that works, it’s getting to know and enjoy God Himself!
For His Glory,
Bible Study
God’s Word is Pre-eminent —The Word of the Lord
Read John 1:1-3; Ephesians 6:17; Revelation 19:11-16.
Give a phrase from each of the following references that confirms what Peter said. Then based on the phrases, summarize each of the four descriptions in your own words.
Come Explore Our New Website!
We’re so excited to welcome you to our new website! Whether you’re searching for God, growing in your faith, or looking for ways to share Him with others, you’ll find biblical resources to encourage and equip you along the way. We invite you to explore the site, dive into God’s Word with us, and share these resources with friends and family.
Grow Your Faith Journey This Christmas!
The Joy of My Heart devotional includes a Scripture verse and reflections from Anne on topics such as eternity, grief, and faith. With a gift presentation page and a ribbon marker, The Joy of My Heart is a beautiful gift for anyone looking for a concise collection of daily devotions. Anne’s depth of thought makes this a welcomed gift for pastors and church leaders, while her accessible tone makes The Joy of My Heart appropriate for any layperson seeking scriptural truth. Along with The Joy of My Heart, the additional resources pictured above provide Biblical encouragement and truth for readers seeking to grow in their faith and walk more closely with God.
All domestic orders of $25 or more will receive FREE shipping from Nov. 1 - Dec. 21, 2026
All orders placed after December 23, 2026, will be shipped the first week of January, 2027.
