FROM THE KEYBOARD

The enemy knows it is easier to deceive than it is to convince someone they've been deceived. Thus, as believers in Christ, we must protect our hearts by putting the word of truth in our minds and then pray that God opens up other peoples eyes. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

One cannot say they are walking by faith if they are being governed by fear. And the difference between the two is how faith gives your time to God and trusts Him for the outcome; fear on the other hand makes you think that you are the god of your time and you can control the outcome. Faith leads to true liberty. Fear leads to false security. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).

In the Bible, we are warned about the coming of the Antichrist; but more importantly, we are to watch for the coming of Jesus Christ. "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

You may still be in a storm, but the moment you learn to be still in the storm is the very moment you'll hear God's voice over the storm's noise. "He calms the storm, so that its waves are still" (Psalm 107:29).

Since the world is fallen, there is a cycle of suffering. But since Christ is risen, there is a recycling of suffering. And when we know God is faithful, it is possible to see suffering as useful. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17).

Today, let us choose courage over compromise. "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." (Billy Graham)