5/1/14- Do Not Be Deceived

4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come...

. 23At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you ahead of time.(Matthew 24)

Thoughts: Before he died, Jesus spoke of people deceiving others in the faith.  It is therefore possible and common that people would be in the Church to deceive others.  Jesus also warns all of those who seek to follow Him that they need to be careful that they too be deceived.  Jesus also forecast that in the end times (and by this also the end of cultures) the love of most will grow cold.
    He tells us this that we might guard our hearts and souls.  We are not to live in fear, but to live in caution of those who would pour cold water on the flames of our love for God and faith in Him.  Jesus would have us ready and steady ourselves.  

Prayer: Lord, keep my heart and soul strong for you.  

Today is National Day of Prayer.  It is a good day to pray for the nation you live in and those over you in government.