"Books"

I was looking around Barnes and Noble the other day, just browsing. As I came across several books, briefly reading something on their covers, I found one that was interesting. It was the "Answer Book." It was a book that supposedly answered all the questions that no one wants to answer. One chapter was about God and it began by stating that whatever your belief is in God, He is an under-achiever. It went on to question all the failures on earth and problems around the world. Then it concluded that if God has the power He must assuredly lack the drive. At first, it bothered me but then as I thought about it, maybe this book is saying what many are thinking but afraid to say. The book is completely wrong on the part about God but many live like God is a under-achiever!

Books are everywhere. Each time I deal with people in problems, it seems somewhere someone comes up with a book that deals with their problem. I have had many over the years offer me books to read about psychology, self-help, depression and the list goes on and on. Believers in God that turn to man's writings to solve their problems are saying exactly what the "Answer Book" was saying about God. We know He has the power but where is God's drive to exert that power? Then one reads the books about unlocking God's power but they are no more than 'rah-rah' books with no substance or take us into humanism. I read books but I make certain they are no substitute for the Creator holding every answer to man and his being from His holy word. When people are struggling, we seem to want more concrete answers about our problems and somehow think man has those concrete answers. Many don't see God as addressing depression, anger management, mental stress, addictions of all types and marriage difficulties. God's word for many just doesn't seem to amount to much and as a result there is little hearing or appreciation of the holy word. The result: powerless lives that flounder because there is no real faith in God directing us with His word. No wonder people question God!

Let me share this with you if you happen to be one of the those who depend on man's thoughts and writings to direct their lives. If all the books that are written have the answers for us to live by, why are so many written? If one book has the answers to a particular problem, shouldn't that be it and no more? I know writers can bring us to God's word but they are still man's writings. We need to believe in our God! We need to trust His power! We need to understand how He works and operates. The greatest failure of man is NOT KNOWING GOD!