Tuesday, December 25, 2018

praying effectively: Do Not Be Led Astray (Duet.13)

(Deuteronomy 13:1-3)  “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

(Deuteronomy 13:6-8)  “If your brother, your mother’s son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom neither you nor your fathers have known, of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other end), you shall not yield to him or listen to him; and your eye shall not pity him, nor shall you spare or conceal him."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we know God and His words in order to discern when something is not God's truth
- that we resist the temptation of participating in other religions
- that we are not led astray

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for giving us the Bible!  Guide me in Your wisdom so that I can understand and learn all of Your truths, so that I will not be led astray.

Thank You for giving us words of prophecy that have all been fulfilled, except for the ones regarding the end times.  By seeing the prophecies of Jesus coming to earth in flesh and dying for our sins - besides salvation being possible - we can have extra confidence in You and Your wisdom, power and purpose - for now and regarding the future.

You have told us everything that we ever need to know.  Help us to stand firm in Your word when someone gives a prophecy or message that is untrue and does not align with Your will.  Help us to be open to Your guidance and wisdom to know how to act or know what to say if anyone should ever try to argue or persuade us to believe in something that contradicts Your word.  Thank You so much for Your timeless, faithful Word.  Amen.

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