Before I came to faith in Christ, I read several self-help books. I knew I had a lot of issues that needed dealing with and I was determined to get started.

But my own efforts, wisdom and insight only got me so far.

If I’m being totally honest, my world view was a mess. I was full of pain and brokenness which were really what was dictating my decisions, and so leading MYSELF out of it all wasn’t going to work.

Fortunately after years of dabbling in various practices, sampling different religious philosophies, and trying things my own way, I heard the gospel of Jesus and received His gift of grace.

I wish I could say that it was smooth sailing and I immediately set myself on the right path, made all the right decisions and matured as a Christian with no setbacks.

I can’t say that.

But I can tell you that through my setbacks and challenges, I came to understand the vital importance of reading God’s Word and letting HIM transform me.

There are many verses that reference the importance of God’s Word in scripture, and today I wanted to highlight Psalm 119: 9 - 11.

These verses point out how we keep our way pure by living according to God’s Word.

I especially like the Amplified translation where it says in verse 10, “oh, let me not wander or step aside (either in ignorance or willfully) from Your commandments”

I think we often think of straying or sinning as something that we do INTENTIONALLY, out of rebellion, and sometimes that’s true.

But friends, let us be diligent to ask God to help us with our blind spots -- places we may step aside or stray out of ignorance.

In my experience, those are often the places we are most vulnerable, yet unaware.

Remember how I said I was full of brokenness and pain when I began my relationship with Jesus?

Well, I’m not totally healed up yet, though I’ve come a long way.

Like all other believers, I am in the process of being sanctified -- my soul is under construction.

And although I may have healed up wounds from years past, like everyone else, I continue to experience new ones along the way.

One of my routine prayers is to ask God to help me live according to His Word and to conform my life to it. I ask Him to search my heart and help me see where I need Him.

I’m no longer trying to do it on my own, and my hope is that you wouldn’t either.

The good news is that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we now have Holy Spirit to help us, lead us, and guide us along the way.