2 Tim 4:3 ~ Itching Ears accumulate their own teachers.
Am I listening to those men and women who only scratch where I itch---who tell me what I want to hear. Like everything is going to be all right. Like everything is going to work out fine. Like you are going to be an overcomer from all these trials. Who is preaching repentance from the things that grab your heart that is not God. Lovers of this world---repent. Lovers of pleasure---repent. Who is preaching repentance?
2 Tim 4:5 ~
Be sober.
Endure suffering.
Do the work of an evangelist.
Fulfill your ministry.
I am thinking that there is truly much tickling of the ears going on in way too many churches.We drive by a church that has a parking lot overflowing, his sermons are on the TV. So, I listened to see what he was preaching and drawing them in, in such large numbers. I heard a piece of truth here and then here, bu there was a lot of other words in between. I do believe he is tickling their ears and oh, how that breaks my heart. I have prayed for him and for them.
ReplyDeleteThe other verse that jumped out at me, was when Paul said I have fought the fight, I have finished my race. I so want to hear my Lord say to me, "you have fought the good fight, you have finished well". It truly is ALL grace as Ann Voskamp reminds us over and over and His word reminds us over and over it's ALL His grace that sees us through each and every day.
May each Pearl have a blessed Sabbath and hear a word from her Savior.
Compelling words today. Mike and I are traveling this weekend. We keep seeing people who are focused on living for earthly rewards and pleasures. We are earnestly seeking God's directions for this new path in our lives. We had an interview and we were both turned off by the hunger for money and power. We met a hotel manger named Shelley who is a minister in the process of moving to the Bahamas to minister to the poor. Her face glowed with promise of working for the kingdom. We went to a friend's Halloween party, where the emphasis was having a good time and feeling good. We felt out of place. We know the Holy Spirit is at work on our hearts, preparing us , for a deeper, more meaningful life. I am thankful for the experiences that have made us ready for what lies ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe Shield of Faith overcomes the fiery darts of the enemy.
ReplyDeleteRepentance is very important, but so is faith.
God will see us through this world and we will have victory throuh Him. Christ has overcome.