First Page of the Instruction Manual

What’s on the First Page of the Instruction Manual for some piece of high-powered equipment? (Like a chain saw, lawn mower, generator, nail gun, gas grill, firearms, or even some kitchen appliances or electronic equipment.) BEFORE you get to the assembly instructions. BEFORE it tells you how to start it up.These days, you can be pretty sure it’s the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. The WARNINGS. All the c…autions about what NOT to do so you don’t hurt or kill yourself or someone around you, or ruin the equipment you just bought. And the more powerful that equipment is, the stronger those warning are going to be.

Well, I’ve gone through a time when it seemed everything the Lord was showing me was warnings and cautions. Don’t do this… don’t do that. Reproving and correcting me for stuff, including attitudes like, “Oh, I know how this works. I can handle it. I’m ready. Skip the manual. Let’s fire it up!” “Power… miracles… tear down strongholds… destroy the enemy… put the doubters and scoffers to shame!” Just when I thought I’d learned what I needed, and I’m telling the Lord, “OK, got it, …now I’m ready for the exciting stuff,” He would bring another serious lesson. After months of warnings after warnings, correction after correction, I was hanging on to verses like, “Oh, restore to me the joy of Thy salvation.” Really was.

One day, when I was questioning why all this heavy stuff, and seriously wondering if I was on the wrong track, I opened up an Owner’s Manual for a piece of equipment, and He spoke to me, “What’s the first thing you see?” Then He said, that with the kind of powerful weaponry that He is about to give to His servants in these last days, you could hurt or destroy yourself and others, so you’ve got to learn the “safety instructions” first. Don’t skip the warnings. God’s warnings were written, not by a lawyer, but by a LOVING heavenly father that’s got a lot He wants to get done, …is excited about using us to get it done, …and doesn’t want ANYBODY to get hurt.

PRIDE IS THE #1 DANGER! Most of the safety lessons He gave me dealt with pride in some way. Power without humility has, and will, destroy many lives and ministries. Then comes the operational “How To” instructions, which are mostly love… love… LOVE! THEN you’re ready for the POWER!