AN ANGEL OF LIGHT?
Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Zion Gate is located in the southern part of the Old City. This gate was used by the Israel Defense Forces in 1967 to enter and capture the Old City. The stones surrounding the gate are still pockmarked by weapons fire. This entrance leads to the Jewish and Armenian quarters.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:14b, 15
For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Here is a strong, clear warning. Throughout this chapter Paul is building walls of spiritual protection around his friends and fellow believers in Jesus. He is deeply concerned over the possibility of deception. He is determined that they will be protected from the false teaching of an evil spirit masquerading as an angel of light. We must not take these warnings lightly. Throughout the centuries again and again, so-called prophets have claimed to have messages from angels which are contrary to our historical understanding of the Christian faith, or which claim to add additions to the truth delivered by the Bible Prophets, Jesus Himself, and the Apostles! If Satan cannot keep us from believing in Jesus, he will try to twist the truth ever so slightly in an ingenious way, so as to move us away from the solid truths of God’s Word (2 Peter 3:11-16). Be on guard! Stay close to your God-given pastor and congregation! There are those people who will “twist” the Scriptures “to their own destruction,” and they want to drag you down with them (2 Peter 1:15-21).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m well aware that the deceiver comes masquerading as an angel of light. Help me through Your Word and this blog to rip off his mask, and reveal to my heart, mind, and spirit the deceptive thoughts the enemy would plant in me. By Your grace, may I behold Your face, Lord Jesus. In You, I will see the One who is called “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and I will not be deceived. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was 18 years old when a book fell into my hands that captivated my attention, so much so that I shared its content with another young man to whom I had been witnessing about Jesus. I was hoping to lead him to receive Christ as his Saviour and Lord. After about a month, I noticed that we were talking more about the subject of the book than about Jesus. Alarm bells went off in me, and I threw the book away. I determined to never bring up the subject again. It was a kind of conspiracy theory which I later learned was a total lie. The enemy almost succeeded in sidetracking me from the main thing. This is one of the reasons I’ve always placed the words of “The Apostles Creed” in a prominent place at the entrance to our places of ministry, such as the Crossroads Centre in Burlington. The leaders of Christ’s Church, following the deaths of the Apostles, faced the so-called “angel of light” again and again. Therefore, they gathered leaders from all over the world and came to an agreement on every word in that statement. They fasted and prayed over every word. This creed was set up as if written in stone, like the Ten Commandments of Moses. The deceptions and arrogance of Satan and his false teachers have dashed against this strong rock but have been unable to move it. It is the summary of what was believed and taught by the Apostles (click here for “The Apostles Creed”).
Yours for holding firmly to the “Truth once delivered,”
David
Here is an Arrow Loop in the wall of the Zion Gate. These were slots in the walls and structures that were used to shoot arrows through. They came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Praising God for today’s scripture and Paul as a true example of a saint. May the truth in His Word be a light of hope for you, who are weary. His peace and love and mercy be yours, today. Hold onto that goodness and thoughts of a warmer spring that soon will be coming. Wishing you blessings upon blessings, fellow saints in the Lord!!
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:14-16 ESV
Gaither Vocal Band – Jesus Messiah (Live)–Wow!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN4wj2KAdhU
Wanted to share this great message, this morning, from Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries: God’s Choice Shaping Tools, Romans 12:1-5
God’s kindness to us is demonstrated by the fact that He doesn’t leave us in the condition we were in before coming to faith. How tragic it would be if we still thought, felt, and acted the same way we did before receiving Christ as our Savior. Throughout our lives, the Lord uses His choice tools to shape us into the image of His Son.
Prayer. By talking to the Lord in open dialogue, we develop a relationship with Him. He becomes not just our Savior, but our friend, and as the intimacy grows, so will our passion to be with Him. Setting aside time for prayer each day will become a delight, not a duty.
God’s Word. You can’t grow in your Christian life if you keep the Bible closed all week long. No one lives on one meal a week, yet many Christians try to get by with just a Sunday dinner of the Word served up by their pastor. How can we expect God’s truth to do its transforming work if we never let it into our minds and hearts?
The Church. Christ uses His body of believers as a place for transformation. That’s where we rub against each other and have the rough edges of our character smoothed. It is a place of instruction, accountability, and encouragement.
Are you letting the Lord use His character-shaping tools in your life? Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. Only when we intentionally schedule time for God, His Word, and His people can Christ do His transforming work in our lives.
Listen to Dr. Charles Stanley at OnePlace.com!
Thank you for this and that beautiful praise song.I have received a lot of nourishment from Dr.Stanley.Many of his videos seem to have been God sent when I needed His guidance.God bless
Thank you, Beverlee for your words this morning. I will have to now click on and listen to the song you posted.
Is supposed to be another warm day here in Florida.
God bless.
Enjoy the sun for all of us, here, Nan! God’s blessings on you!!
Thank you Beverlee for posting Charles Stanley’s words hey are so true. We need to be in the Word every day. I liked what he said “No one lives on one meal a week”. I love the song Jesus Messiah, we sing it at our church sometimes.
Enjoyed David’s words today, he was such a genuine person so straight foreword, always speaking with wisdom and truth. Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
Wonderful message of truth this morning. Thank you Beverlee for your sharing of words of Charles Stanley whom I listen to on Sundays. Will listen to the song as well. This weather is getting our attention. Just 5 minutes ago, I was enjoying the sunshine through the windows of my porch, and looking at the blue sky; came into my computer, just looked out and it is snowing, blustery and visibility nil. Enjoy your day saints!