I walked into the kitchen and saw six glasses, filled with water lined up on the counter. I asked my son, who was busily working on something, “What’s the water for?”

He said, “Oh! On the back of the macaroni and cheese box, it says first I have to boil six cups of water.”

I chuckled at his literal approach to following the instructions. I usually just hold the pan under the faucet, and run the water till it looks ‘about right’. I probably haven’t read those directions in 30 years. I had no idea it specified exactly how much water to add!

But I love the way my boy did carefully read the instructions, and was diligently doing his best to follow them.

I’ll bet Jesus loves it when Christians do this with His instructions, too. Especially new believers, who are trying to diligently do their best to follow Him.

Those who have followed Jesus for many years often become like I am about the instructions on a mac & cheese box–a little vague. We do what seems ‘about right’, but do we carefully and earnestly seek out the instructions Jesus has for us?

If you’re a Christian who hasn’t opened the ‘instructions’ in a while, Easter is a great time to settle your heart before the Lord and drink in His Word. We all need a fresh reminder of His instructions–especially when we are troubled, in conflict, or going through a trial.

I’ve taken the liberty of preparing six ‘glasses of water’ for you, below. Won’t you drink them in? Don’t skim read; let these soak your soul for a few minutes. Read them as if it’s your first time; as if you are  setting out one glass at a time, and–as carefully as you can, following Jesus’ instructions for life:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.” Phil. 2:14-15

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil. 2:3-4

“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal. 5:26

  “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:31-32

“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3