Victory in the Battle of Deception

"Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?'  The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'" (Genesis 3:13)

How many times we have read this passage and heard it referred to in teaching and preaching.  Most people speak of the criminality of the deceiver, not the deceived.  Just consider the last year in the whole "financial crisis" debate.  The deceivers are the ones fined and sent to prison.  Very little is said about the deceived.  But one of the definitions of deception is, "failure to admit to oneself that something is true," or not true, whatever the case may be.  The context of our text reveals that God pronounced judgment on both parties, the Deceiver and the deceived.  Both parties were equally guilty.

Adam and Eve, just as you and I today, had a clear directive (command, if you will) from The Living Triune God.  They did not believe the lie as much as they chose to yield to the lie.  The lie is what they wanted.  They were shown a way to, "be like God," and took it.  They were the progenitors of what later generations would say, "'Let us break their chains,' they cry, 'and free ourselves from slavery to God.'"  

This past year, not only in America, but around the world has shown that the same Deceiver Who found a willing ear in Adam and Eve has found the same in our contemporary world, even among religious people.  What are you and I going to do about it?  For me, the commitment to Jesus Christ, "The Word of God" as revealed in His written Word, is stronger than ever.  Today's text and the Matthew 7 passage which I read just two days ago speak volumes.  "Not every one who says..,but only he who does...."  This will be the basis of all judgment at the end.  I choose to make it the basis of all judgment in my life------------------now!

Father, in Jesus' Name, convict me any time saying rules over doing. Amen.
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Read of the ongoing battle in Jerusalem at: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

How to Recognize a Follower of Jesus Chrtist

"You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16)

A new quarter, and once again through the Gospels.  Most people think we are to take people "at their word."  Not so.  We are to "take them at 'their fruits.'"

There is a lot of emphasis on "good works" in the Sermon on the Mount.  Evangelicalism is so concerned about people thinking their "good works" will save them, they rarely speak of "good works."  But Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  The end of "good works" is the glory of Our Father.  The road to that end is full of blessed and helped humanity.

The new birth and the forgiveness of sins comes by grace, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."  Okay, that should be clear enough.  But it is imperative that we have written into our very being and life style the principle of the next verse.  "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  We are to "walk" in "good works."  Our life is to be a continual daily abundance of "good works."  Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  I can think of no better way to manifest the Love of Jesus to "one another" and to all humanity than by sharing Jesus Christ and manifesting His "good works" in us.

Father, in Jesus' Name, give me a specific "good works" assignment today.  Amen.
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*     Please pray for my health-- battling an upper respiratory infection
*     Preaching in the CCE meetings:                              October 10 & 11
*     Serving with the Israeli Defense Forces:          October 16-25
*     Berlin/Albania Mission:                                        October 30-Nov. 16
*     If you don't read:      www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
     every day, you will be missing key prophetic news         

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Give Ourselves Continually"

"We will...give ourselves continually ('adhere closely to as a servitor)' to prayer and the ministry (service) of the word."  (Acts 6:4)

 

The Apostles were "set apart" for this call.  Such a "work" enabled the Church to "take root" in a hostile culture, and grounded the Church in "the faith."  Throughout the Middle Ages the Church saw the need for the same.  I have heard many rail on monasticism, but these faithful men translated the Scriptures and wrote them down so that you and I today can enjoy the "God-Breathed" Word.  While it is true that many monks were just seeking to better their own salvation, Jesus used the times of prayer, nearly 24/7 in a monastery, Bible study and contemplation to do what Peter wrote to the Early Church.  "In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ.  After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation."  Who knows what place their, "continually," played in the fulfillment of this text throughout Church History?!?

 

In "Fiddler on the Roof," Tevye says, "If I were a rich man, I'd have the time that I lack to sit in the synagogue and pray....And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day."  Over the years I have heard people make fun of such statements, as though prayer and discussing "the holy books" were only for the "rich" and "learned."  Of course, they are not.  But there is, and always has been, a need for such members of the Body of Christ.  There was something of the monastic movement in the Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Century Unitas Fratrum (Moravian) Community------- "Nobody works unless someone is praying." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank you for such men and women over the centuries.  May we continually have them.  Amen.

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An article you need to send to your "brain washed" friends at:

www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com 

 

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

So You Want to be "Smart," Do You?

"....To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion....The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Prov. 1:2-4, 7)

 

Our text contrasts "knowledge" and "fools."  The world is full of "fools" disguising themselves as scientists, philosophers, religionists, and, "I-can-help-you-discover-yourself," experts.

 

Recently in the news there are reports of archeologists finding some "missing link" between modern humans and some distant evolutionary past.  One report said, "Feast your eyes on what a group of scientists claim is the Holy Grail of human evolution."  Another report said, "This find would be the envy of Darwin."  Clearly, there is great glee in the scientific, "falsely

so-called," community that the Bible will be proven wrong.  But our text takes on "modern science."  The Word of God declares that if a person is going to have wisdom, it starts with "the fear of the LORD"-------------- not in the laboratory or the classroom.  Too much of today's church and educational system comes under the charge of our Lord Jesus, "But in vain do they worship me, teaching (as their) doctrines the precepts of men." (ASV)  

 

Paul's warning and exhortation still stands.  "O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]!  Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination."  The "answers" to what we need to know about God, our earthly sojourn, and the "life to come" are in Jesus Christ, the Word of God.  Fill yourself with Jesus and His Words, and, according to our text, you will be full of "wisdom...instruction,..words of understanding,..justice, judgment,..equity,..prudence,..discretion--------- knowledge."  

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I continually choose You and Your Words.  Amen.

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News, Commentary:    www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

 

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Jerusalem: "May They Prosper Who Love You"

"He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me....Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." (Psalm 18:16, 17 & 24:8)

Today's Psalm-- and yesterday and today's headlines:  "Arab Threats Close Temple Mount," and, "Temple Mount Again Closed to Jews, Arabs Allowed in."  The Arabs are rioting again in Jerusalem, at The Lions Gate, the Temple Mount, and other places--- see the article on our Blog- www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com.
I have gone regularly to The Lions Gate and the Western Wall, which is just below the Temple Mount.  Tension is always in the air.  I understand what the song writer said after he, "Walked Today Where Jesus Walked"--- "a sweet peace fills the air," but he wrote the poem before the triumph of the modern State of Israel.  Ever since 1947 there has been war in The Land, primarily "not...against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the ccosmic powers over this present darkness."

The Psalms are full of "battle cries."  The struggle of Israel in the Old Testament just keeps on through the New Testament age, the Middle Ages, right up to today.  The only times of "peace" were the times of neglect of The Land. Historically, any time Christians or Jews asserted their right to The Land, the Arabs and alien armies went on the march.  Since the establishment of the "modern" State of Israel, there has never been peace.

The psalmists did not ignore the fight, nor did they try to cover it up, or, as Snoopy, "hope it out."  They faced it; trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, "The Great Shepherd," for strength and power to over come the enemy, and for grace and faith to endure in the strife.  That is what you and I are called upon to be and do in this present age.  Our enemies do not take vacations, grow weary, slumber nor sleep---------
and to them I issued the warning, neither does King Jesus "slumber nor sleep," out of "whose mouth [goes] a sharp two-edged sword...and His face (is)...like the sun shining in its strength."  People of the earth: "Kiss the Son," (literally, "fasten upon") Jesus Christ, "lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.  Blessed ar all who take refuge in him."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies!"  Amen.
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October 10 & 11:                         Preaching in the CCE services
October 16-25:                         Israel
October 30-Nov. 16:               Berlin (Albania: Nov. 3-6)

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2