Wednesday 26 October 2022

Thought for Wednesday, 26 October

 


2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New International Version)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
 
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.  It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (New Living Translation)
 
Sometimes I look at these extracts from Scripture and my mind immediately draws a blank, today, it drew a smile because I immediately knew what I’d be writing about.  I’ve included two versions of this passage.  These are the two versions of the bible I use most frequently and generally; they don’t vary terribly much but they did today despite putting forth the same message, and that’s why I’ve included both.
 
I changed my car about four months ago and it has a modern function that I really don’t like.  When driving on a road that has clear markings at the side and centre, if you go near to one side or the other, it automatically brings you back to the middle.  It feels like an invisible pair of hands are grabbing the steering wheel and every time this happens, I get a major fright.  I’ve found a button that can switch this function off so every time I get into the car, I switch it off….unless I forget!  In that case, I wait until I get the inevitable fright….then, switch it off.
Now when you get a different car, just like televisions, kitchen appliances, audio appliances etc., they all come with a manual.
 
In the limited research I’ve carried out, I don’t think for a minute it’s just me.  Maybe it’s a ‘man thing’, but, referring to a manual or instructions of any sort, is always a last resort.  I’m sure there will be a way of switching this function off in my car, but to find out how, I would need to read the manual.  Rather than do that, I’ve been switching it off nearly every day for the last four months.  Every car I’ve changed throughout my life has borne the scratches and scrapes of everyday use, but the manuals have always been in pristine condition.
 
The bible is a special book, and we know that everything in it is ‘God-breathed’.  It can provide a disturbing read, an inspirational read, a comforting read, an assuring read and it can even make you smile.  It is not a book to be kept in a drawer and just taken out on a Sunday morning.  It can straighten us out if we’re on a wrong path but most importantly, it is God’s way of directing us and preparing us for everything that He requires from us in this life.  The bible is a book to be read.
 
Prayer
God our Father, it is with great thankfulness in our hearts that we approach your Throne of Mercy, where you deliver justice and mercy to each of us, according to our works and according to our faith, for we know that you are righteous, and our chastisement will purify and sanctify us. Jesus taught us to be obedient unto death, performing according to your Holy will and adhering, under all circumstances to your Holy Word, which enlightens and perfects us, in learning and believing, to live with integrity and spiritual maturity.         Amen

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