Be Prepared, and not deceived

Do you need to be rescued, protected, kept, set free? Be specific in your prayer today; the below is just to help you get started...

Father, rescue me, protect me, keep me and set me free!  For you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.  In the mighty Name of Jesus, amen (Psalm 140, 142).
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JESUS' MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Mark 13:14-23

The Great Tribulation

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.


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Is it possible for Christians to be deceived? Yes, it happens all of the time.  Man comes up with persuading arguments and proofs to deceive people, people believe, start to live in extremes contrary to God's Word, and they create strong negative and wrong impressions of God and His children.  I hate to say it, but this will only increase as time goes on; and unfortunately, many people will fall away from Christ.  Jesus does not want this to be you!  It is time to stop wasting our time; it's time to use our time properly to prepare ourselves in knowing Who God is and What Jesus commanded of us.  If we are prepared, Jesus says, we can remain faithful.  If we remember that Jesus told us all things beforehand; the most convincing acts should not move us, but be very apparent to us.  If we are not prepared, we will turn away.  This is why God tells us to put on the full armor of God; not just some of it.  Be prepared.
The Life Application Study Bible offers some questions to ask yourself, to penetrate the disguises of false teachers in your life:

1. Have their predictions come true, or do they have to revise them to fit what's already happened?
2. Does any teaching utilize a small section of the Bible to the neglect of the whole?
3. Does the teaching contradict what the Bible says about God?
4. Are the practices meant to glorify the teacher/group or Christ?
5. Do the teachings promote hostility toward other Christians?

It's important to be serious about this walk with God.  Let's not be deceived.