Friday’s Favorite Addendum

**This post is a clarification of the following statement I made in yesterday’s Friday’s Favorite.  First I must tell you I belong to a wonderful local body of believers, I read a lot… just not books from the New York Times best-seller list.** 

Lately I’ve had occasions when fellow Christians have asked me “who’s your favorite tele-evangelist or Christian author?”   When I respond that I don’t watch tele-evangelists or read Christian authors from the New York Times best seller list, I get the strangest looks (and attitudes).  Almost like I am “not in the groove with the Church”. 

We live, as I am sure you know, in a time unlike any other in history.  I weep daily at the outlandish acts of evil people are committing against others, the diversions the enemy is using to beguile the saints and the innocent appearing secularist approach to Christianity that is running rampant in this country.  I might as well add the distraction of this year’s elections (both national and state) that are causing rifts between the brethren.  The Word warns us a multitude of time to beware of anything or anyone who will draw us away from our focus on the Creator God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ”  Colossians 2:8

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived , and ye turn aside , and serve other gods, and worship them;…”  Deuteronomy 11:16

“And He said, ‘Take heed that ye be not deceived : for many shall come in my name, saying , I am Christ; and the time draweth near : go ye not therefore after them.’ ”  Luke 21:8

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”  Luke 21:34

There is only one way for us as people still living in fleshy bodies, who are crucified with Christ and choose to serve The Almighty LORD God, to avoid any lies and deceit.  KNOW the Word for ourselves.  

Proverbs 2: 1-10

“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;  Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,  If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;  Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;  He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,” (NKJV)

… this is my sincere prayer and desire for all the brethren…