November 18, 2024-Pastor Bill's Reading Plan

November 18  
2 Corinthians 11
Paul says that "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." This is a reminder to us of how challenging temptations are for people because they never appear wrong.  Satan never tells the truth, when he brings temptation to people he doesn't talk about consequences. He paints evil as good and freedom as being able to do whatever you feel like.  He seeks to disconnect the brain from the heart because sometimes we may know in our minds something is wrong, but our hearts can convince us otherwise.  Satan says don't let the truth steer your heart, let your heart and emotions shape your truth.   Satan even tried to throw Scripture at Jesus when he tempted him in the wilderness.  Jesus of course responded with the truth of Scripture in proper context.  
We need to be very careful in our own lives that we don't begin to accept what is wrong as being okay now that times have changed.  We must watch carefully that our kids are not tricked into believing a wrong version of what is right and wrong, as they listen to people who sound good yet are far from God.  We need to continue to shine light as Christians in a dark world and be okay with people taking a bit of time to understand what the proper ways of God are when we consider that most people don't realize or fully understand that they are in darkness.  
Think about a dark room and suddenly a bright light is turned on. It takes a bit of time for the eyes to adjust, and it is a bit shocking and uncomfortable at first, but when the adjustment is made you can see so clearly.  In the same when people are confronted with the truth of the Gospel it takes a bit of time for them to accept that they were in darkness, but when their eyes adjust, and they see God's ways it fills them with so much hope and gives them a brighter future with Christ shining the way.