June 1, 2017

Greetings My Friend, I notice I am drawn to the certain passages from year to year when I am reading the Bible. I look forward to reading about King David and to Ruth even Esther, I also am drawn to teaching passages reminding me to keep something in mind. This week I read "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off to myths." Each time I read this I find myself wondering if I am keeping my focus on what the Holy Spirit is teaching me or am I seeking something that sounds good. For the longest time I wanted to hear "feel good messages", I felt that feel good messages was looking on the "bright side" instead of seeing gloom and doom in everything. Life has taught me though we need to see the real problem and not pretend it is not a problem. I was attracted to the elephant in the room trying to push him into a closet which never works. The more I am in relationship with Jesus I desire to see what I need to do to deal with the current situation in my life. My faith teaches me the real encouragement is knowing I will make it through any problem because I am not alone and when I get to the other side of the problem I have a sense of strength I never knew I had. It is because God said acknowledge the problem and He helps me step by step. I read the Bible now attempting to hear the Holy Spirit's teaching me and I know He will guide me even if things are hard to hear, He doesn't sugar coat things. When I hear sermon's now I know enough of the Bible that if I hear something that does not line up with it I turn off the teaching in my mind. The fear that I might be mislead no longer bothers me because "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom; preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." I hear God teaching me to stay in the Word and the Word is teaching me I won't be swayed and my ears won't itch to hear wrong teaching. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet