“10 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. 11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world” (Ephesians 6:10-12 God’s Word Translation©).

Believers in Canada are fervent supporters of President Trump and contemptuous of Prime Minister Trudeau (or the reverse), slanderous of Pope Francis, blindly loyal to their own denomination, close-minded advocates of one economic system or another, and even emotional terrorists against those who defend different sectarian rules of belief…

Shake yourself and see the light. NONE of these things is eternal! None of these people or philosophies will get you into heaven, nor are they strong enough to keep you out of it.

There is only one loyalty that deserves your obedience, Jesus and the cross upon which you crucify all your personal opinions and allegiances and addictions.

When you rant for or against something that has its roots only on this earth and not in the heavenly realm can people tell you are a disciple of Jesus? Or do you just look like anybody with a chip on your shoulder or an impulsive bully? “After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 God’s Word Translation©).

Our enemy is the great deceiver, Apollyon/Abaddon (the destroyer), not a pope, politician or partisan pugilist.

If Satan feels glee there must be dancing in the palaces of evil at how much energy is wasted on false allegiances, and how much division and hatred and anti-Christian behaviour you display. Take up your cross everyday, not your soapbox. Offer comfort to believers, not conflict over ideology. “These are the people who cause divisions. They are concerned about physical things, not spiritual things” (Jude 19 God’s Word Translation©).

James clearly describes what believers can stoop to when they are driven, not by the cross, but self because “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you?” (James 4:1 God’s Word Translation©).

Speak boldly about who God is, not what you think!

Since our assembling has been cancelled for awhile all over the world, I decided to write out some notes for the adult Bible study I teach which was to happen this Sunday morning. Then I felt led to share it with you. May God bless you through The Spirit, whether or not I live up to expectations.

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you…? (Galatians 3:1).

Paul writes to believers. Clearly believers can be deceived and led away. (Read Pilgrim’s Progress for an extended study on this issue.)

An important spiritual discipline is discernment. Consider 1 John 3:1-3, for example. (“…test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world…”)

Why do we fall for deceptions?

We are tempted when anyone teaches we will be rewarded for what we do. FALSE (Grace means God rewards us because that is what God does.)

We are tempted when anyone teaches we need to help God get things done. FALSE (Grace means God works through us, all glory to God.)

We are tempted when anyone teaches that God is incomplete, evolving, reacting to our needs. (Grace means God is complete and reliable, Who knows our ‘needs’ before we even ask, and so God is already filling our ‘needs’ and is not surprised by our intercessions or requests.)

We are tempted when anyone teaches that we can figure things out, like arithmetic to calculate our bank account, or systematic theology which describes what God is really like in human terms. (Grace means God’s ways are not our ways. “Greeks [secular thinkers, in our terms] demand knowledge and Jews [spiritual practitioners, in our terms] demands signs [and wonders]. But we preach Jesus crucified and risen, a joke to the philosophers and a blasphemy to the religious people.”

If all you focus on is Jesus and the cross, if the Bible is your only filter to read religious writings, and if The Spirit is the only unquestionable guide on your journey, you are situated to resist the deceivers.

I was doing research for someone and came upon the teaching about the 5-fold ministry again. Something came together for me. Read more…

In a cloud of forgetfulness Christians today, at times, do not grasp (or believe) why Jesus opposed religious people. Read more…