A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

A solitary dirt road and the words Follow God Not People

 

 
Are your ears itching?
Volume XVI, Issue 9
February 29, 2016
Everywhere we turn, someone is trying to seduce us. Salesmen, politicians, corporate executives, more than a few religious leaders. Every day the sirens sing out...
 
"Trust me and your dreams will come true." "Support me and I will make you happy." "Follow me and I will give you what you want." "Come with me to the life you deserve."
 
Such claims create new lies and repackage old ones. Whether a new car or healthcare, economic gain or the power of God, the game is the same: Manipulate the hopes of many for the benefit of a few.
 
We hear this often during elections. So much promised in so little time. Few ask, "Do you have a plan? Does it make sense?" Rather than study the promise, many rush in where angels fear to tread.
 
One yelling across the world It's all about Me
But this isn't simply about elections. This is about...everything! Paul warned us centuries ago.
 
The time will come when men 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. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
 
Sounds like us, doesn't it? We're not quite content with what we have. We'd like a little more. Others have something flashier, newer, better, bigger. Why not us? Then along come those who tell us what we long to hear---You deserve this. Happiness is here. I can make your life better.
 
Paul was clear. When selfish desires rule our hearts, we will listen to those who claim they can fulfill them. We will turn away from the truth and embrace their lies. But not just any truth. We will reject The Truth...Jesus...who is our Way and our Life.
 
But there's more to this warning...something about those teachers.
 
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God---having a form of godliness but denying its power. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!2 Timothy 3:1-5
 
Know anyone like that? Have you watched a commercial that claims a product will bring you happiness? Have you seen politicians demean and belittle others for their own gain? Have you heard CEOs twist the truth to make their companies look virtuous? Have you listened to pastors, preachers, ministers, or priests more interested in this life than the next?
 
We were made for another world quote by CS Lewis
Open your eyes and ears. We are surrounded by such people. The warning is no longer that the time will come. The time has come! We now live in the age Paul described.
 
But there is great encouragement in you, me, and all who follow God. His Holy Spirit lives within us! We hear His voice. We know His heart. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. By His strength, we are able to stand our ground against the lies, the arrogance, and the evil in this world.
 
Though the days may be terrible, remember this...
 
We are children of the Heavenly Father, friends of His only Son, and servants of the Holy Spirit. We will love and encourage one another. And when evil comes, we will stand...together...as one.
Take care & be God's,

Chuck
Ciloa - Encourage One Another
   
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