Are You Clear or Confused about What’s Going on These Days?

One of my consistent prayers is this: “Lord, give us a discerning heart so that we are not deceived by others or by ourselves.” I also pray that He increases our vision so we see the truth, increases our hearing so we hear the truth, and increases our understanding of His truth.

  

Sorry to say it, but we can be a pretty gullible people at times. In fact, a lot of the time. One of the greatest seductions of the current era is that we are the power, rather than that we can be like Jesus, who came to Earth in the flesh, not as God, but as a man with the power of God within Him, through the grace of God our Father. Remember: Jesus is God, but He didn’t act as God while here. He always turned to and gave tribute to the Father as the one providing everything He needed and the power to do everything He did, and did this because He wanted us to know—it was imperative that we understand—we can do the same things He did, through the grace of the Father. He told us this was true, and He meant it. He was our perfect example. But, most of us didn’t grasp that, for a variety of reasons. Yep—more deception.

That seductive deception I refer to above is a whole other topic I intend to comment about at some other time. But I will say this: If you pay attention, you’ll see the deceptions all around us. We’re being fed these deceptions, especially children, who are so open to influence. And these deceptions move us away from God’s truth in tantalizing increments. Unless we’re paying attention and know what to look for.

This morning I caught the last 10 or so minutes of a program called The Key That Unlocks the Bible. The minister kept talking about the key of David that Christ gave to His disciples and His Church (which is us). I looked up the Web site: https://www.thetrumpet.com/programs/key-of-david/latest and found the 27-minute program on the Home page, along with ways to get the two writings he mentioned—for no cost. One is, of course, The Key of David (176 pages). The other is The True History of God’s True Church (233 pages). You can either download these books or get them mailed to you. I like to turn pages and have a tangible book I can retrieve from my shelves, so ordered them. In other words, I’m suggesting them rather than recommending them, since I haven’t as yet read them.

The minister pointed out that Jesus warned us about deceptions and the great deception: “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” ~ Mark 13:22-23

If current events trouble you, right down to that, yes, thorny issue called climate change, read Mark, chapter 13, in its entirety. Jesus laid it all out for us. One truism has been espoused, but in a different context than I intend: If you want to change the world, start with yourself. From the biblical perspective, if you want to help save others, start with yourself. Pay attention to how you’ve been deceived (and still are), and in what way you’ve espoused these deceptions—likely unknowingly. I speak from experience here, as one deceived by all the New Age proclamations and falsehoods. Ask the Lord to inform you. Knock and the door will be opened to you. But you have to walk in willingly.  

We May Obey God, But Do We Love Him? – A Special Father’s Day Message

When God asks you a question, you can be assured it’s a good one He wants you to think about. I’ve admired God’s wisdom for quite a while. What I mean by that is that I look for God’s hand in and on matters—and inevitably, I perceive it. Sometimes this happens sooner than later; sometimes, it’s immediate recognition. Whenever this happens a feeling of reverent awe fills me, or as said in the Bible, “My cup runneth over.” After years of paying attention this way, I learned to trust God. That’s not lip-service; I mean I really trust Him. He is faithful and true.

I mentioned in another writing posted a while back, that as I began my prayers one evening, God asked me: “Do you trust My love as much as you trust My wisdom?” No, I didn’t. But I set about to change that with His assistance and guidance. Here’s where it’s led me so far.

Some are raised in homes that practice Christianity (which is different from religion, but that’s another story, unless you already understand what that means). Those raised this way, have a habit of following the faith—they practice it in some form. But, does this mean they feel genuine love for Him? Not necessarily.

Some come to the Lord through fear. Perhaps they learn something about End Times, or they come close to death—their own or someone else’s. The first time I received the Lord I was in my teens, and it was through guilt at a Baptist revival. That sort of took, but didn’t hold. When I returned to the Lord several months ago, it was through fear about End Times, which many believe we’ve crossed into, based on current events and how they match with what Jesus said about the signs of that time’s approach. But, I digress somewhat.

Fear that brings a person to God or back to God often leads them to spend time with scriptures and in prayer. Sincere time spent with scriptures and communing with the Lord leads to deeper understanding, especially if we ask for assistance with that. Still . . .

Going back to God’s question about my trusting His love as much as His wisdom, I admit that what I felt started in my mind—an intellectual relationship, you might say. But was I feeling the love? No. But I wanted to. So I kept going.

The more I learned about the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and the more I perceived their presence in my life and in events, the more I felt my reverence begin to shift into love. And I realized that similarly to our human relationships, what we feel takes root in the mind before it moves into the heart. So, I was on the right track. When these feelings reach the heart, they begin to reside there. I noticed my relationship with the Lord began to strengthen and deepen. How could it not? How do you behave with someone you truly love? Perhaps you make an effort, and succeed, at altering some things you think, say, and do, because your desire is to please them. You cease merely doing what you should because you should, and act from love.

Sunday, June 18, is Father’s Day here in America. It’s a time when we honor fathers who dedicate themselves to their families, especially their children. While we celebrate fathers still with us, as well as those who live in our hearts, minds, and memories, let’s also remember to thank and honor our heavenly Father for his love, wisdom, grace, mercy, care, comfort, guidance, and extraordinary patience.

May the Lord’s peace be with you and yours.