Thought for 20 September

 Thought for Friday 20 September 2-24

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

"The question is not whether a doctrine is beautiful but whether it is true. When we wish to go to a place, we do not ask whether the road leads through a pretty country, but whether it is the right road."

Too many people nowadays are on the wrong road.  They are looking for scenic idyll, instead of raw truth. The pretty road is the choice of those looking for an easy life, filled with their own wishes and wants. The truth, however, is a road filled with wrong turnings and dead ends.

The pretty road is broad and straight and looks so appealing to someone in a hurry to get to their destination, while the true road is narrow and winds through forests and numerous potholes.

The broad road gets us to our destination, but the end of the road is a sheet of fire, waiting to welcome us into its grasp. On the broad road we have missed the Lord God. Of course, on the broad road we are more interested in the good things we can see. A wee stop to pick up some ‘treasures’, which will be rusted through by the time we arrive. There will probably be a welcoming committee, but no refreshments.

On the other hand, the narrow road will be much slower in getting us to our destination but with the guidance of our Father, the Son and the holy Spirit, we will be greeted at the end by a welcome committee with a sea of open arms and plenty of refreshments.

Prayers and intercessions should be the order of the day, for all those who have chosen the easy way, the way of their own will instead of the will of the Father. Our intercessions count, when we raise them to our eternal God. Almighty God never misses a prayer from our heart and will never ignore one.

The world is getting more and more corrupt as people put their own interpretation on scripture.

Teachers, ‘responsible adults’ are the very people who are misdirecting our children onto the ‘broad road’, but there are also false prophets and teachers who encourage adults to put their own definition to scripture. These preachers deceive their congregations with words of health and wealth. Of course, if the people don’t ‘have enough faith’ they don’t receive the abundance promised. However, they want what they are promised so they give even more to the mega wealthy preachers. We need to pray for these souls, deluded by the promise of things of this world.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord, King of Kings. We are Your subjects in this world and ask You to watch over our lives each day, help us to read scripture as You meant them to be read from the beginning. Help us, heavenly Father to take nothing away nor add anything to Your word. Let Your Spirit explain each passage we read, so that we may understand the meaning, in truth and with clarity. Hear our prayers for the eternal souls on the wrong road, so that none may be lost. Lord Jesus, as Your return comes closer, help us to build a closer relationship with You so that we will be ready on that day to receive You in Your glory. We ask in Your own glorious name, amen.