written by: Carissa Waggoner
As I was walking on the treadmill today, I happened to notice the Warning sign.
Read and understand all instructions and warnings prior to use.
It got me thinking. If I needed to read and understand all instructions and warnings to use a treadmill how much more would I need to do so in my daily life?
I noticed it not only said to read but also to understand all.
This makes since. If I do not understand what I read I maybe setting myself up to get injured.
This warning was posted to keep people from getting injured. It is for their safety.
It was also there for instructions on how to use the machine to be able to get the full impact and reach goals.
We have warnings we must heed to keep ourselves safe and we have instructions so that we can live, receive and reach our goals. They are written for us in God’s word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All through out scripture there are warnings against false teachers, sins of all kinds, staying faithful, and many more. These warnings are not to burden us but to protect us.
God loves us so much that He gave us warnings to live by to keep us safe. He also knows that if we read, understand and heed them our lives would be with out undo burdens.
Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
When we do not heed these warnings that God gives us through scripture, we open ourselves up to the consequences and the negative impacts on our life.
Scripture also give us instructions on how to live. Ephesians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It encompasses Spiritual Blessings in Christ, Thankfulness and Prayer, Being made alive in Christ, One in Christ, Unity in the body of Christ, Living as Children of Light, Instructions for wives and husbands, Children and Parents, and The Armor of God.
In the mere 6 chapters of Ephesians, it consists of so many useful instructions in living a life worthy of Gods calling for us as servants in Christ and into righteous living.
God wants the very best for us. Through His word which is His very breath breathed into us.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The warning label also mentions “prior to use.”
Just think of how many conversations, relationships and choices we have made before we read and understood God’s instructions?
How would those conversations, relationships and choices been different if, right before they happened, we were to read and understand scripture. God’s instructions?
Could we have had more compassion or kindness? Could we have been able to work through a broken relationship? Could our choices on finances or in obedience to God have gone better for us?
What if we read and understood all of God’s warnings first, while they are fresh on our minds, could we have chosen obedience rather than selfish desires?
God never forsakes us. He is right there in the presence of His Holy Spirit within us. We can pray to better understand and He will give us understanding.
These verses speak as to the importance of understanding.
Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have get understanding.
Proverbs 4:13
Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you.
God’s Will is clearly for us to have wisdom and understanding. It is clearly His Will that we hold on to His words of instruction. It’s important, so much so that we are to guard it and it may cost us all we have to get it.
God’s Will is to prosper us.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Provers 16:20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
As we get on this treadmill of life. May we all seek to read and understand all of Gods instructions and warnings prior to use.
Prayer
God, you have all the knowledge. Thank you for giving us your Word to instruct and warn us. Thank you for your gentleness in breathing it into our very souls through your Holy Spirit. You love us so much that you want to preserve us, keep us safe, change us into the righteousness of Christ. All of this is good for us. We thank you for teaching us and reminding us of these things as we go about the simplicity of our daily lives. May we read and understand all of your instructions and warnings. Lord, We ask for wisdom and understanding. May you use that to equip us for every good work. May it please and glorify you.
In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.
Becoming His 
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