We are living in crazy times. As I read the news, I am just appalled at what I am hearing. The shootings, corruption, illegal drugs, and crimes against children are all too much to bear. I’m sure you are seeing and hearing the same things. There is only one place to put the blame, and that is the evil one! He knows his time is short. Jesus is coming soon, and the devil is running rampant trying to take as many souls as He can.
It is unsettling to see all the things that are going on. Sometimes, I want to turn a blind eye to everything and pretend it’s not happening in my world. If we look through God’s eyes, we see hurting people and a dying world. How do we live in faith and grow closer to God during this time? Keeping our eyes on the Lord and not looking to our circumstances is how we will be able to continue on this path to Heaven.
Discernment
Having discernment is key. Know what is coming from the Lord and what is from the Devil. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Going deeper here would require me to write a book, and then I don’t know if I could do it justice. People are looking for answers to the ways of the world but unfortunately, they are being turned away from God without realizing it. Many are looking for answers ‘in the cards’ or other forms of future-telling, which is witchcraft, and from such, we need to turn away.
Wisdom
We also need wisdom. God will give us both if we ask. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Let us not think for a moment that we have all the wisdom we need. Because we don’t. Every day new and different situations come up. We need the wisdom to raise our families, do our jobs, to do all the things. God gives wisdom to us for what may seem like the most mundane things to huge undertakings, like starting businesses. He gives us the wisdom and discernment to know the difference between what is coming from Heaven and what is coming from Hell. These are two things I pray for myself all the time.
I pray for wisdom and discernment. Why? Because the evil one is tricky. He isn’t wearing a red suit with horns. He appears as an angel of light to deceive the hearts of many, including his chosen people. Including you, Christian friend. Including me. Things that can seem so innocent, and/or helpful to our spiritual walk can turn out to be a conduit for the enemy to turn us away from God.
Not what it seemed
Quite a few years ago, one of my daughters attended a live show with her aunt. It was entertaining and fun. She came home with souvenirs. That night after we fell asleep, we were awakened by our daughters and a niece screaming for Mom and Dad. We went to their room, and they said there was a light flying around, much like a lightning bug. We’re in Colorado, we don’t have those here. Especially not just one random lightning bug. Their room was in the basement of our home so lights coming in from outside were not suspected either. After calming the girls down, we began to pray. Out loud. My husband and I went around the whole room, in the closet, under the bed, praying.
I asked my daughter where she saw the light last and she pointed to her desktop. The program and other souvenirs from the show were there. After my husband took those items to the trash all was peaceful.
To the point
There is a lot here that could probably use more explanation. But this is just a blog and I want to get to the real point of my message today. Which is that we must grow closer to God if we are going to withstand the deceitfulness of the Devil. Especially in these last days. So many things that seem right, but they are not. And as the day of Jesus’ return comes even closer, there will be more trickery. More things that seem innocent but will end up taking you down a path to destruction. Do not be deceived.
What do we do? Here is a short list of things to do while we wait for our savior to return.
8 Ways to get closer to God
- First and foremost, invite Him into your life. He’s there but will not intervene unless we invite Him in. Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” In my bible next to this verse, I wrote, “Jesus is the perfect guest. He only goes where he is invited. Let Him in.”
- Be filled with His Holy Spirit. Jesus talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in John 16. He promises us a helper, who will give us wisdom and discernment. John 16:7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
- Praise and Worship Him. Always. In all things acknowledge Him. Psalm 148:1 “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!” Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”
- Be thankful. 1 Thes 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Pray. Pray for your loved ones. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your city. Pray for yourself! Ask Him to give you discernment and wisdom. 1 Timothy 2:1 “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
- Read the scriptures. Know Him through the word. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” He gave us directions and provided light. What more do we need?
- Find a place to be with other believers. Go to Church! Matt 18:20 “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name I am there in the midst of them” and “In His presence, there is fullness of Joy.” Psalm 16:11
- Share about His goodness! Testify. Tell others about your faith. Give them hope too! 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have…”
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What I’m reading now(again!): Write His Answer, A Bible study for Christian writers
