DEVOTION #54 “TRUTH OR DECEPTION” Part 1
Jan 7, 2024 07:02:56 #
Greetings and happy Sunday to all Fishing Stagers and guests!
I hope and trust all of you remember what we talked about last week - good things to strive for in this new year! Particularly those things that will make us and others, just a little better people. But… how do we always know, or determine, just what is good and what is not?
It seems, these days, there is a lot of confusion and disagreement as to what is the difference in good and evil - truth and deception. If you say, “It’s always been this way”,
you are right - there has always been a conflict between good and evil, and truth and deception. It started with Adam and Eve and continues to this day! That’s because there are two forces at work on the earth - the good force of God, and the evil force of Satan.
The good force of God is often characterized as “truth”, while the evil force of Satan has been rightly portrayed as “deception”. Satan is constantly trying to deceive us into thinking bad/evil is OK, or even good. He is the master of deception; he is able to fool many people by making them believe
“half truths”, which we will talk more about next week in Part 2 of this devotion.
As Christians, we KNOW the entire Bible is the inspired words of God, and is therefore true.
”In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.“
John 1:1 NLT
”Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.“
John 17:17 NLT
”Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.“
John 14:6 NLT
”Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”“
John 8:31-32 NLT
”The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.“
Psalms 119:160 NKJV
For the unbelievers, who may not fully believe in God or the Bible, what do you base YOUR truth or beliefs on? Or maybe you believe that God exists, but have not accepted Jesus into your heart to be Lord and Saviour of your life. If that’s the case, you are no different than Satan or his demons.
”You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.“
James 2:19 NLT
When Jesus was talking to the Pharisees in the temple, He gave them a simple picture of who the devil is:
”For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.“
John 8:44 NLT
Here is another vivid description of Satan:
”Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.“
1 Peter 5:8 NLT
So you see, Satan is just as real as God is, and he has the power to deceive us, if we start listening to his lies instead of God’s truth.
There are many ways Satan tries to deceive us, to draw us away from God by using our emotions during weak moments, combined with his lies.
Next week, in Part 2 of this devotion, we will discuss specific lies the devil uses to deceive us, as well as the “truths” God has given us to stand up to, and defeat those lies. And don’t worry - we have plenty of ammo!
The following is a video message from Pastor Allen Jackson that talks in more detail about this topic, and why we should pick “Truth Over Deception”.
Please enjoy the message and May God richly bless you. 🙏🏻
https://www.youtube.com/live/KKPnpaauk3A?si=wnrmDnAXCK3l_e9n
I hope and trust all of you remember what we talked about last week - good things to strive for in this new year! Particularly those things that will make us and others, just a little better people. But… how do we always know, or determine, just what is good and what is not?
It seems, these days, there is a lot of confusion and disagreement as to what is the difference in good and evil - truth and deception. If you say, “It’s always been this way”,
you are right - there has always been a conflict between good and evil, and truth and deception. It started with Adam and Eve and continues to this day! That’s because there are two forces at work on the earth - the good force of God, and the evil force of Satan.
The good force of God is often characterized as “truth”, while the evil force of Satan has been rightly portrayed as “deception”. Satan is constantly trying to deceive us into thinking bad/evil is OK, or even good. He is the master of deception; he is able to fool many people by making them believe
“half truths”, which we will talk more about next week in Part 2 of this devotion.
As Christians, we KNOW the entire Bible is the inspired words of God, and is therefore true.
”In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.“
John 1:1 NLT
”Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.“
John 17:17 NLT
”Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.“
John 14:6 NLT
”Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”“
John 8:31-32 NLT
”The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.“
Psalms 119:160 NKJV
For the unbelievers, who may not fully believe in God or the Bible, what do you base YOUR truth or beliefs on? Or maybe you believe that God exists, but have not accepted Jesus into your heart to be Lord and Saviour of your life. If that’s the case, you are no different than Satan or his demons.
”You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.“
James 2:19 NLT
When Jesus was talking to the Pharisees in the temple, He gave them a simple picture of who the devil is:
”For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.“
John 8:44 NLT
Here is another vivid description of Satan:
”Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.“
1 Peter 5:8 NLT
So you see, Satan is just as real as God is, and he has the power to deceive us, if we start listening to his lies instead of God’s truth.
There are many ways Satan tries to deceive us, to draw us away from God by using our emotions during weak moments, combined with his lies.
Next week, in Part 2 of this devotion, we will discuss specific lies the devil uses to deceive us, as well as the “truths” God has given us to stand up to, and defeat those lies. And don’t worry - we have plenty of ammo!
The following is a video message from Pastor Allen Jackson that talks in more detail about this topic, and why we should pick “Truth Over Deception”.
Please enjoy the message and May God richly bless you. 🙏🏻
https://www.youtube.com/live/KKPnpaauk3A?si=wnrmDnAXCK3l_e9n
Jan 7, 2024 07:21:06 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
I will listen to the video later today but as for what you have written I give an Aman.
Now, Lord I desire to do what's right in your eyes, so I ask for help in my weakness.
Now, Lord I desire to do what's right in your eyes, so I ask for help in my weakness.
Jan 7, 2024 07:48:07 #
Jan 7, 2024 08:14:55 #
Jan 7, 2024 08:34:24 #
Randyhartford wrote:
Greetings and happy Sunday to all Fishing Stagers ... (show quote)
Good read here Randy, interested if the non believers respond. Plugging in head phones now to listen to Pastor Allen.
Jan 7, 2024 09:37:13 #
Truth and deception quite an eye opener Allen touched on.
Hated by many because we chose to believe in Jesus. That sounds so familiar.
Interesting about Joseph being called home so early in those times and being confronted with God's Truth.
Good video Randy
Hated by many because we chose to believe in Jesus. That sounds so familiar.
Interesting about Joseph being called home so early in those times and being confronted with God's Truth.
Good video Randy
Jan 7, 2024 14:40:06 #
plumbob wrote:
Truth and deception quite an eye opener Allen touched on.
Hated by many because we chose to believe in Jesus. That sounds so familiar.
Interesting about Joseph being called home so early in those times and being confronted with God's Truth.
Good video Randy
Hated by many because we chose to believe in Jesus. That sounds so familiar.
Interesting about Joseph being called home so early in those times and being confronted with God's Truth.
Good video Randy
Thank you, Joel, Jimmy, Troy, and Bob. I sure do appreciate you guys’ support. There is so much deception in everything, these days it seems. As Christians, we KNOW who is responsible - the “prince of darkness”, himself.
It’s up to “us” to do what we can to bring light to those living in darkness, and that’s why I do what I do. Please pray that His light and truth will reach every dark place around us.
”“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.“
Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT
Thanks for your prayers… 🙏🏻
Jan 8, 2024 06:02:07 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
"Shout it from the roof top" in what ever ways and means that you are given, unapologetically and with out reserve. I believe that's the #1 challenge to the church today. And #2, as we do declare the unwatered down gospel, don't be surprised if you are even arrested and put on trial, knowing that God, through the Holy Spirit, will give you the words that need to be said.
I will be sending you a short private message Randy.
I will be sending you a short private message Randy.
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