Deception and Truth

The deceptions of this world are ultimately the products of the Deceiver trying to taint the creation of the Creator. When one is deceived, they are intentionally misled by someone that has their own intentions in mind. As mentioned before, the Deceiver desires to deceive the entire world so that the creation of God could be also brought into eternal punishment with him. Misery loves company, and long story short, he is going to be very miserable. But even knowing this, some are still brought to their knees by the deceptions that are allowed to befall them. In order to fight against the evil rulers and spiritual wickedness, we must arm ourselves with the Word of God, not only to fight the devil, but to be versed on how to stay away from him and to recognize him when we see him.

Jesus himself even warns us to not be deceived. He has given us the greatest example of all time how to fight against the evil ruler and also how to fight the temptation that he provides to us. The Deceiver has had thousands of years to study humanity, to know what to do and what to say to convince us to do things for our own pleasure and satisfaction. In the later book of 1 John (4:4-6), it's author piggybacks off of what Jesus Christ says and adds that we are Gods and have overcome these evil people in the world, because we have Jesus Christ in us, and with Jesus Christ we are greater than those that are in the world.

Even in the case of religion the Deceiver has set up people in high places to look sound and appear to be prophets from the Lord. But their words will have no meaning. Their words will have no truth;therefore, they will be deceivers. We were also warned by the Lord to watch out for those with “empty words.” (Ephesians 5:6). In 2 Corinthians 11:3, it says But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. This speaks to the craftiness of the devil and whereas he has to use subtlety and secret influence, Christ used simplicity that you can take at face value. And also regarding the serpent and deceiving Eve, once again this brings us to the aforementioned word in Ephesians that empty words, if they sound good, might affect anyone with any level of a relationship with God.

So how do we combat this deception? The Deceiver is a very powerful and cunning adversary. But he is not the Creator or the Savior of humanity;therefore, he is not all-powerful, and he is not the most powerful Source. Instead, he was created and he also has a weakness. In order to fight the deception, we must realize what the truth is and not just accept what we hear to be the silent truth. We must do our research, test and try what people are trying to influence us with. As with all things, in Christianity we must put God first and use the presence of God and his purpose against anything that we come against that may be deception.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1‭-‬3 KJV)

Womanhood (pt.3): Favored by God

There is no better way to learn than having an example to follow. Looking through the Bible, there are actually quite a few examples that women can follow. Ruth was a dedicated and loyal daughter-in-law. Esther was a courageous queen. Rachel was a redeemed wife. They all followed God and showed how great patience brings great blessings. But perhaps one of the greatest of all examples found in the Bible is none other than Jesus’ mother, Mary. She was chosen by God which is one of the highest honors in the Bible. So much so that an angel came to her and professed it saying “Hail, thou that are highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amoung women.” (Luke 1:28) This example, as afore mentioned, has not only lasted many years after happening, but it was also spoken of and alluded to many years before it had even happened-roughly 600 years. Daniel and Isaiah gave prophecy about the favored virgin and the Son of God that she was to conceive in the Spirit.

One might wonder “Why was she favored?”  The first sign was the angel telling her that the Holy Spirit was with her and that she was favored (and who would not believe an angel). The second sign was when she went to see her cousin Elisabeth and the baby in Elisabeth's womb leapt. As she was filled with the Holy Spirit, Elisabeth too realized and expressed how Mary was blessed and favored by God. But perhaps the greatest sign of why was echoed from her heart and reflected in her response and how she praises God:

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. Luke 1:46‭-‬49 KJV

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Let's Talk: Thank You

Thank You God for where I am. I am not where I could have been, so for such I say equally "Thank You" and "I'm sorry." There is so much more that could have been done. But I , in my stubborn human ways, fought You and Your will. I chose to be comfortable and not a Christian, popular instead of proactive. I said "I love You God," but didn't really understand the Words... until I felt them. Playing the part became so easy. I played it so well that I convinced even myself. 

Deception I became.

Deceiver I did serve. 

Ruined my life, my heart and soul. 

For You I lost my nerve.

Lord I want to make it up to You. For all that I should have done, please endow me with the Spirit, so as to complete the tasks designated for me. I should have been more for You, for others, and for myself. The damage caused by my leisure Christian life replays in my mind, because all of my decisions did not reflect the life of Christ. Had I made decisions regarding my walk with Christ, I would have made better choices and elevated others instead of potentially bringing them to transgression. 

Aside from such, the past is the past and can be used to learn valuable life lessons. I could continue to find reasons to say "I'm sorry", but " Thank You" deserves more energy. Father God, Your grace and mercy has caused me to have a life full of opportunities of which I am no more than unworthy to receive. There have been times that I, in my own stupidity, came close to destruction, yet You delivered me. You continue to make Your grace available, when my actions would call for the opposite to be so. So as I speak to You, I thank You. For Who You are; who You are making me to be; the very life that I live; the progressions as well as the hindrances; persons who would advance me as well as those who would do me harm; for all these I give thanks and gratitude for which I could never be ashamed nor could I deny. You, the Father of all, have taken a portion of Your ever precious time and not only made me, but You molded and shaped me. Fall fresh upon me Lord, and I will do what is desired of me, to the glory of Thine Holy Name, now and even until this vessel shall be no more! 

"Now unto Him, Who is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.Amen." Jude1:24-25