Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Imagine this: You are having a conversation with someone - someone who you love and would do anything for. They continuously ask you for advice and help in situations. Even though you help them and guide them every single day, they struggle listening. And though you are putting your all into the relationship, they just aren’t.

When I think about the relationships in my life, I believe communication is one of the biggest contributing factors to an unbreakable bond. It’s so easy for us to send a text, a snapchat, or Facetime the people that surround us, yet, we forget to make that effort with Christ. We do communicate with Him as we pray, sing, and talk, but how often do we listen? Even though it is the more difficult part of communication, listening is most important.

How do we truly listen to God? The best way to perform my communication with Him is to read His word. In the Bible, he directly speaks to every single one of us. The verses in each chapter are meant for each of us to read, listen to and apply in our lives.

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” –C.H. Spurgeon

At church, Pastor Scott said that a Bible simply stands for: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. There’s books out there for advice on marriage, money, teaching, how to live, and how to raise a family, but really, it is all right there in front of us in our Holy Bible. These basic instructions that God has given us are all in the book and this is how we are able to listen to Him to strengthen the relationship through communication.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” –Romans 10:17

When we are struggling with our faith, and begin to lose hope, it is then that we need to listen most. With the Bible, we are able to not only hear these words but can physically see them. Non-believers say they don’t believe because they cannot see; however, I see Him in The Word throughout every single scripture.

“The Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” –Joshua 1:8

He commands us to read and meditate on His word every single day. This week I challenge you to open your Bible and not just read the words, but truly let it sink in and listen. Maintain that relationship with God and uphold the listening end of it. Take the words and apply it to your life and to your prayers. Dig deeper than you ever have before and seek Him on the next level.