godly advice

When the disciples asked Jesus for the signs of His return, the first thing He said was take heed no man deceive you.  The world today is in chaos because most men are deceived.  People who are deceived are not aware of it, they will fight to the death for what they believe.
 
Revelation 12:19 The old dragon, the ancient serpent called the devil or satan, the one deceiving the whole world was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
 
The devil is so good at his craft, he convinced one third of the angels in Heaven to follow him right into hell.  We are surrounded with people who are totally deceived.  How do we protect ourselves from the lies of the devil?  We must hear from God, the Lord speaks only truth and the truth keeps us free.
 
John 18:37 Then Jesus answered Pilate, everyone that loves the truth will hear My voice.
 
For most folks the truth is not a priority, they are content with whatever they are told by alleged authorities.  God has published the truth and made it plain to whosoever wants it.  There is not one good reason to be deceived, yes the devil is a deceiver, but God gives light and the light is greater.  All of us have an obligation to search out the truth, some folks won’t because they are lazy!  Eternity is a very long time to regret not searching for the truth.
 
Acts 17:11 The men in Berea were noble, they received the Word with readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were true. 
 
When a group of people search for and know the truth, they become an institution, a place anyone can go for truth.  The truth becomes the foundation for a house of faith, a place where God is pleased to abide in.  The ignorant and unlearned can only sit back and criticize because they know no better.  Folks who know the truth love the truth and you can’t change their mind.  God is not willing that any should perish, that’s why Jesus went to hell and back.  Catholicism introduced me to God for which I am grateful, but they did not know how to help me draw near to Him.  After my new birth I began to read my Bible, I didn’t know it right away but I was studying Jesus.  Jesus is the Word and He became flesh, He reveals Himself to us in His Word.
 
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and it shall be opened.
 
What Jesus says in this text is the basis for a personal relationship with Him.  Asking, seeking, and knocking is an opportunity to a sit down one on one meeting with Jesus.  God’s calendar is open, we can visit with Him any time of the day or year.  I cannot recall a time where God did not answer my request for advice, it didn’t always come quickly, but it came.  Go talk to your Heavenly Father, He is waiting for you and looking forward to your visit.  We cannot avoid deception without Him, He is the truth and the way.  Now I must warn you, when you pursue the truth the devil is not going to like it, but don’t worry, Jesus overcame him and so will you.

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