Nougat 25

Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“The Spirit clearly says that in latter times some people will turn away from the faith. They will pay attention to spirits that deceive and to the teaching of demons.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Deserters

To desert is to leave or abandon, causing what is left behind to seem abandoned. I know folks who hightailed it out of places and situations as though the hordes of hades were after them – and it was justified. Where there is clear and present danger, our natural tendency is Flight. That’s we have adrenaline.

Ironically, many who abandon our faith like hot potatoes may have also felt threatened by someone or something, or worse yet, didn’t experience that inner connection with Jesus. And, usually when they leave – whether through the front, side or back door – the have no desire or intent to return.

While this is a sign of the End Times, I must digress and say that some of the disappointment of their departure lay at our feet. Where were the caring elders and intercessors? Did we not care, were we not at our ‘duty stations’, or does that only apply to particular people? Someone should have noticed what was happening and planned a prayerful intervention. But, many times our judgemental nature sends other vulnerable believers running away from the faith than towards us.

We have a task ahead of us!

The onus ultimately lies with those who have fallen away, whether as or because of false prophets and teachings that show another ‘way’. God’s Word reminds us that some of the teachings we heard, hear and will hear in this life are NOT of God. And, with the nature of their source, the intent IS to beguile and deceive. With the right incentive – some promise problem-free salvation; others purchase abandonment with trinkets and tricks – it is easy to get dragged down.

Moreover, many of us are lulled into the somewhat false thinking that the only ‘Antichrists’ are the ones that overtly say ‘I am the Christ.’ Some, under demonic direction, have sold and souled out to the enemy and seek to recruit us believers using any and every means at their disposal. A miracle here, a prophetic word there, a favor in the crisis … and we are hooked!

Now don’t get me wrong – there are real Jesus-inspired miracles and prophetic words and many blessings come from Jesus without strings. The issue is the Counterfeits! But remember, we don’t have counterfeit $3 notes in most countries because $3 notes Do Not Exist! Likewise, the enemy only counterfeits the original Son and Spirit of God, or tries to have us Think We ARE Gods. So the original is the Lion of Judah, the enemy seeks to be a roaring lion … there are false prophets because God has already established a cadre of Real God-anointed prophets … there are ‘evil’ spirits that seek to mimic the angelic hosts of Heaven … and the enemy sometimes tries to counterfeit the authority of God’s Spirit.

Thus, we must know the seasons, but in order to protect ourselves from being beguiled and from becoming deserters, we *must have* intimacy with God, and by extension, a clear sense of God’s modus operandi, God’s Word and of God’s presence with us. Some things are easily discernible, others – well, they’re genuine counterfeits.

Our task is less to be witch and warlock hunters, but rather it is to a) be prepared through prayer, lest we, too fall into temptation; b) to know God’s Word and the works of God’s Spirit, which usually are accompanied by God’s Peace prevailing; c) to abide in God’s Presence as we walk daily with Jesus, so much so that we are fully attuned when Jesus speaks.

And, as many become deserters, we pray for their repentance as salvation is feasible right up till death.

May we be found attuned with Christ even now.

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May all we seek be found in Christ