“I was talking with a neighbor the other day about his faith walk, how he came to faith, and things like that.”
“Always interesting to hear a person’s personal testimony,” I replied.
“Sure is,” Stan said. “My neighbor told me some things that were almost more than I could grasp, but as I was reflecting on what he said, I was thinking that there are probably a lot of people still stuck where he was.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“This is what he told me,” Stan replied. “He and his wife were part of a mainline denomination, attending church every week. At one point the minister was on vacation and there was a replacement who said something about Bible study and was surprised that the church did not have any Bible study classes.”
“Didn’t have any?” I replied. That does seem surprising.”
“Not only that,” Stan said, “but the replacement minister told the people to ask the regular minister about having some Bible studies when he got back.”
“Sounds like a reasonable thing to say.”
“Sure does,” Stan said, “but here’s the part that’s so hard to grasp. When the regular minister came back and the people asked him about having some Bible studies, he said he couldn’t do that because he didn’t know anything about the Bible.”
“Someone must have been pulling someone’s leg,” I replied. “Couldn’t be!”
“Well,” Stan said, “that’s what my neighbor told me. He also said that soon after that he and his wife began attending a Bible-focused church and haven’t looked back other than to pray for the people who are still stuck in a church that is not leading them in the direction towards God and His word.”
“Kind of like the blind leading the blind,” it seems to me. “If those who are supposed to be leading don’t know where they are going, how are they going to lead in the right direction.”
“Exactly,” Stan replied. “And that is one of the reasons I think it is so important to know God’s word and His voice so I can discern if I am being led and am going in the right direction.”
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Bible verses to consider:
O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray. And confuse the direction of your paths. Isaiah 3:12.
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. Proverbs 21:2.
Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:13-15.
If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John8:31-32.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for bringing me to the truth so I could accept by faith your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you when it’s time. Thank you, too, for the gift of the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus in an ever-deepening personal relationship while you keep me on this side of eternity. I pray for all of the people who have not yet come to the truth of all of your provision, but are being led in a direction that will not bring them to the truth. Please, Father, open hearts, minds, and spirits so that there is a desire to know, receive, accept, and embrace all of the truth you have. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted by faith God’s free and gracious gift of life eternally with Him when it’s time? If no, why? What is standing in the way? Do you need to be somewhere else so you can hear, receive, and accept the truth? If you do have the assurance of salvation, how are you doing with bringing others to the truth that will set them free? As well as you would like? As well as God would like? If you sense that some changes may be needed, how are those changes going to happen? Would you like that to happen? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 