YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUIT!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9, 2019.

SUBJECT: YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUIT!

Memory verse: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thornbushes, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7 vs 16.)

READ: Matthew 7 vs 15 - 20:

7:15: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

7:16: You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thornbrushes, or figs of thistles?
7:17: Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

7:18: A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

7:19: Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.

7:20: Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

INTIMATION:

Fruit is edible growth of plants, it also signifies the result or product of an endeavor; the consequence of some effort or action. In God’s kingdom, our faith in Christ is demonstrated by actions that depict such faith. If we say we follow Christ we must strive to be like Him; doing things in accordance with His ways. And it is by our fruit that people, and even God, will know our sincerity in following Him. 

Faith must be more than belief in certain facts; it must result in action, growth in Christian character, and the practice of moral discipline, or it will die away. Some of the faith actions are: soul winning, learning to know God better, developing perseverance, doing God’s will, loving others. These character traits that are found in the nature of Christ, and do not come automatically, they require hard work. In Galatians 5 vs 22 - 23, and Second Peter 1 vs 5 - 8, the Scriptures list additional fruit qualities of Christian character. They are not optional; all of them must be a continual part of the Christian life. We don’t finish one and start the next, but we work on them all together. God empowers and enables us, but He also gives us the responsibility to learn and grow.

For the genuine followers of Christ, the fruit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. They are the by-product of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit to grow in us, we must join our life to His (John 15 vs 4 - 5.) We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbor. 

There are those who claim to be followers of Christ, but in actual facts they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, deceiving believers with their seemingly godly actions. The Scripture calls them ‘False prophets.’ They are very common today, and prophesy only what the people want to hear, claiming it is God’s message even when it is obvious that the people and the nation are wallowing in sin, and not following God’s ways. Usually their words sound religious but they are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves. We should not be fooled by smooth talk and glowing Word. Their miracles are short-lived, their teachings hardly point out people’s sins. They allow and even encourage all kinds of immorality, especially sexual sin. We must be careful to avoid them today. 

Their works can come through books, tape series, or TV messages, and must be evaluated in the light of God’s Word. Beware of special meanings or interpretations that belittle Christ or His work. God admonishes us in the Scripture, thus, “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You shall have peace”’; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’” (Jeremiah 23 vs 16.)

Christians who study God’s Word, asking Him to reveal the truth, will not be fooled, even though superficial Christians may easily be taken in. The Bible gives us example of believers who carefully checked God’s Word in Acts 17 vs 11; “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily, to find out whether these things were so.” The Bible says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone into the world.” (First John 4 vs 1.)

There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from God. One is to see if their words match what God says in the Bible. Other tests include their commitment to the body of believers, their lifestyles, and the fruit of their ministries. But the most important test of all is what they believe about Christ and the Word of God. Our Word is filled with voices claiming to speak for God. We should evaluate their words by examining their lives. Just as trees are consistent in the kind of fruit they produce, good teachers or prophets consistently exhibit good behavior and high moral character as they seek to live out the truth of Scriptures. This does not mean that they are perfect, but rather striving to lead a godly lifestyle. 

While it is true that money, fame, and possessions can’t be taken with us from this life, God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death. God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth. Be sure that your values are in line with God’s values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts forever. The Scripture says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors; and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14 vs 13.)

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with Your excellent spirit that I may bear fruit after the nature of Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 8, 2019.

SUBJECT : WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND?

Memory verse: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

READ Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8:

2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

2:6: who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 2:7: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 

2:8: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.

INTIMATION:

The mind is the seat of reflection, consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception, understanding, feeling, judging and determining. The activities of the mind, therefore, is usually expressed outwardly, and determines our attitudes. Our attitudes color our whole personality. Essentially, what we feed our minds is absolutely very important, just as important as what we feed our bodies to be good and healthy. The secret to a happy heart is filling our minds with thoughts that true, lovely, and pure; thoughts that dwell on the good things of life. And the secret of a spiritually healthy life—the Christlike life—is to be spiritually minded; filling our minds with things that heavenly and eternal.

What we put into our mind determines what comes out in our words and actions. The apostle Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Always examine what you are putting into your mind through television, Internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the films we watch are all part of our mental diet. Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total health and spiritual well-being. Be careful to replace harmful inputs with wholesome materials. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice to effect perfection, and know it can be done. 

Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? The Bible gives an antidote to this problem—renewal of your mind: “And do not be conformed to this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12 vs 2.) God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. 

We live in a corrupt world with behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. The worldly behavior should be off-limits for ever child of God. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must be even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, re-educates, and redirects  our mind are we truly transformed. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. The transformed mind helps us face the struggles of daily living, being completely focused on God. It is noteworthy that we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. 

Prayer: Abba Father, renew my mind to be in union with the mind of Christ, and not in conformity with the world’s standards, that I may do Your will at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

CONVICTION OF SIN IS FOR OUR GOOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY OCTOBER 7, 2019.

SUBJECT : CONVICTION OF SIN IS FOR OUR GOOD

! 

Memory verse: 

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement."

 (John 16 vs 8.)

 

READ: 

John 16 vs 7 - 11

:

16:7: Nevertheless 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 depart, I will send Him to you.

16:8: And when He has come, He convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.

16:9: Of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

16:10: Of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

16:11: Of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.

INTIMATION:

What is conviction? It's to prove guilty; to pronounce guilty; of a person found guilty of 

crime or sin. It's usually convincing or persuading by evidence to satisfy as to truth or error. 

Conviction is a veritable tool employed by the Holy Spirit for our betterment. Conviction is meant to convince us of sin, and lift us out of it, to help us move higher in God's will and plan for our lives. The Holy Spirit's conviction is intended to convince us to repent, which means to turn and go in the right direction rather than the wrong one in which we are currently going. 

When conviction comes on us, it is God, through His Holy Spirit, speaking to us because He wants to help us in some area. 

The Holy Spirit works to enlighten our awareness of what we are doing wrong that leads to death, and what we need to do to enjoy an abundant life. 

He is not condemning us, but He's trying to let us know that He wants us to live a long and healthy life. When the Holy Spirit speaks to your conscience about changes that are needed, pray right then. Ask God to deliver you and bring about those changes through your faith in Jesus.

Jesus said, "....

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 depart, I will send Him to you." How wonderful it is to have close fellowship with the Holy Spirit—to have someone in our lives to let us know when we are going the wrong way. 

Holy Spirit reveals the result of sin and the result of righteousness so that people can see life and death set before them and call on God to help them choose life. People who has chosen the life of sin have wretched, miserable lives, which makes them look ugly and older than their ages. The rough, rugged lifestyles they had chosen had taken a toll on them. 

When God reveals to you an issue that needs to be dealt with in your life, you can trust that the anointing is also present to break the yoke of bondage over you. If you put off confronting the behavior until you want to deal with it, you may have to face change without the anointing, which is very difficult. When God convicts, He also anoints, so that is the best time to yield to His help in changing. We often wants to do things in our own timing, and we struggle and struggle because we're not asking for God's help. 

The power of God can make us look better and keep us feeling younger, because we are not living the hard life of sin. This power of God is at work in the world today demonstrating the results of sin and the results of righteousness. The line between the two is becoming vividly distinct. It is no longer difficult to tell who belongs to God and who doesn't. The world that we live in is full of gross darkness (Isaiah 9 vs 2). But God gave Jesus "for a light to the nations" (Isaiah 42 vs 6). His light is visible in the faces of true believers.

It is healthy and normal to feel guilty when we are initially convicted of sin; but to keep the guilt feeling after we have repented of the sin is not healthy, nor is it God's will. Conviction from the Lord never fills us with condemning shame. Shame fills us with a painful sense of disgrace and humiliating regret, often for something that we couldn't help. 

When God works in people's lives, He condemns the sin, but He never condemns the sinner. He condemns the sin, but gives mercy to the sinner, so we never need to be afraid to let God show us what we are doing wrong. The Holy Spirit lives in us, and can't get much closer to us than that. He doesn't come just to take up space, or because He has nowhere else to stay or go. The Holy Spirit lives in us because He has a job to do, which is to teach, comfort, and lead us to God's plan for our lives. And He does that through ‘conviction of sin.’

Prayer: Abba Father, show me my sin. Convict me of what I am doing that breaks Your fellowship with me. Give me the power to be free from sin. I release my faith to receive Your deliverance right now, in 

Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6, 2019.

SUBJECT : YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE!

Memory verse: 

“

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

" 

(Joshua 6 vs 17.)

READ: : Acts 9 vs 1 - 7:

9:1: Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

9:2: and asked letters from him to to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
9:3: As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
9:4: Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
9:5: And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.”

9:6: So he trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

INTIMATION:

God works through people. He created us in His image and after His likeness. God obviously did not create us exactly like Himself because God has no physical body. Instead, we are reflections of God’s glory. We have the ability to His character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and faithfulness. Knowing that we are made in God’s image and thus share many of His characteristics provides a solid basis for self worth. Human worth is not based on possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness, or public acclaim. Instead, it is based on being made in God’s image. Because we bear God’s image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing what God has made and the abilities He has given us. 

All the people God created are useful to Him. He can use anybody, our sin nature not withstanding. For instance, in bringing our Messiah—Jesus Christ—into the world, God used all kinds of people. The study of genealogy of Christ in the first 17 verses of the gospel of Matthew (1 vs 1 - 17), we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span over 2000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith—like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady republicans—like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary—like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Achim. And others were evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s works in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and He works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring His Son into the world, He uses all kinds today to accomplish His will. And God wants to use you.

Some of the women mentioned in the genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba—here called “her who had been the wife of Uriah”) raise both ethnic and ethical questions. At least two of them were not Israelites by birth and all four of them had reputations that could have made them unmentionable in an ancestral tree. Yet this was the line into which God’s Son was born. Jesus’ genealogy makes it clear, not that there were a few disreputable people in His family, but that all of them were sinners. God sent His Son as Savior of all people. No matter what the sins of the people, God’s plan was never thwarted. It continues to unfold. That plan includes you. 

Another example is the apostle Paul. No person, apart from Jesus Himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was a believer, his actions were significant. His frenzied persecution of Christians following Stephen’s death got the church started in obeying Christ’s final command to take the gospel worldwide. Paul’s encounter with Jesus changed his life. He never lost his fierce intensity, but from then on it was channeled for the gospel. 

Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest available. His intentions and efforts were sincere. He was a good Pharisee who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was dangerous for Judaism. Paul hated the Christian faith and persecuted Christians without mercy. When he personally met Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life was never the same anymore. God did not waste any part of Paul—his background, his training, his citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God do the same for you? You will never know All He can do with you until you allow Him to have all that you are!

Another example in Scripture is Rahab. She was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. As a prostitute, she lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. God used her her and gave her the courage to hide the spies and lie to the authorities. God works through people—like Rahab—whom we are inclined to reject. God remembers her because of her faith, not her profession. If at times you feel like a failure, remember that Rahab rose above her situation through her trust in God. You are good enough for God’s use. Make yourself available today!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for my self-worth; for I am made in Your image and after Your likeness. O Lord, I am available for service to You. Here I am use me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

INSPIRING GOSPEL SONG TO WATCH

New Video - Nwata Nna (translated Father's Child) by ClaudyGOD. Premiered September 28th, 2019
https://youtu.be/isSQrz6_Hlw
youtube.com

WORSHIP GOD ONLY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2019.

SUBJECT : WORSHIP GOD ONLY!

Memory verse: 

“

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who  have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

" 

(Revelation 19 vs 10.)

READ: : Acts 14 vs 8 - 15:

14:8: And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
14:9: This man heard Paul speaking. Paul observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
14:10: said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
14:11: Now, when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
14:12: And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermès, because he was the chief speaker.
14:13: Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending and to sacrifice with the multitude.
14:14: But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, crying out
14:15: and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

INTIMATION:

Worship is to make obeisance, do reverence to. It is used as an act of homage or reverence. Regarding God Almighty, it is the appropriate response to God’s self-revelation. The worship of God is nowhere defined in the Scripture. Broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God; of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise or thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgement. 

God is Supreme, and there is none like Him (Exodus 9 vs 14; Isaiah 46 vs 9). In recognition of God’s supremacy and unique attributes, the Scripture says we should worship Him alone. In our memory verse, this truth is reiterated; the angel instructs John to “worship God,” and worship is a major emphasis in the book of Revelation. The Scripture says, “Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I had heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book: worship God.” (Revelation 22 vs 8 - 9.) 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul, after performing a miracle of raising the crippled man in Lystra, observed that the people wanted to honor and sacrifice to them as gods. Paul and Barnabas refusing to allow such, tore their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, cried out in a loud voice and said to the people, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you...” 

In the same manner, the apostle Peter corrected Cornelius when he visited him at Caesarea as instructed by the Spirit of the Lord: “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I am also a man.” (Acts 10 vs 25 - 26.)

However, this wrong practice of not worshiping God alone is common among believers. They put aside worshiping the Creator in order to worship the creation. Their reverence and worship of their spiritual leaders are far more pronounced than what the angel and apostles admonished their followers not to do. It is a common site in our churches and fellowships where the congregants fall on their knees before the spiritual leaders to acknowledge them, even in ordinary greetings. While the name of Jesus is often called in vain and without reverence by many; a small occurrence in their lives, like something falling off their hands, occasions the shout of the name ‘Jesus.’ Where is the reverence of the name in such circumstance? The Lord says in Malachi 1 vs 6, says, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master, If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?”  

God should be worshipped alone. That we do not see Him, is not an excuse not to honor and worship Him appropriately. Reverence to His name should be at all times, and in all situations. Never use His name in vain: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20 vs 7.) God’s name is special because it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way to use God’s name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. We should not take lightly the abuse or dishonor of His name.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the only God, there is no other. You alone will I worship. Give me the grace to acknowledge You always for who You are, in all my ways, and to thank You for all You do, in Jesus’ Name I Have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

MIRACLES CAN DECEIVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2019.

SUBJECT : MIRACLES CAN DECEIVE!

Memory verse: 

“

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which He was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

" 

(Revelation 13 vs 14.)

READ: Exodus 7 vs 10 - 12; 19 - 22:

7:10: So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD had commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

7:11: But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

7:12: For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

7:19:Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, and over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood, and in pitchers of stone.’”
7:20: And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
7:21: The fish that was in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
7:22: Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them; as the LORD had said.

INTIMATION:

Miracles can deceive. In this era of hardship in the world, many are using magic and sorcery to deceive many that are desperate for a solution or feebleminded. Although miracles can help us believe, and shows proofs of God’s power, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God’s work and lead people astray. True signs and miracles point us to Jesus Christ, but miracles alone can be deceptive. That is why we must ask with respect to each miracle we see: is this consistent with what God says in the Bible? 

Throughout the Bible we see miracles performed as proofs of God’s power, love, and authority. But in the Book Revelation chapter 13, we see counterfeit miracles performed to deceive. The second beast here gains influence through the signs and wonders that he can perform on behalf of the first beast. The second beast orders the people to worship a statue in honor of the first beast—a direct flouting of the second commandment (Exodus 20 vs 4 - 6). Allowing the Bible to guide our faith and practice will keep us from being deceived by false signs, however convincing they appear to be. Any teaching that contradicts God’s Word is false. 

In our contemporary society today, many are being deceived by these false prophets with their satanic manipulations of performing miracles. Their targets are the money of such people, and they often succeed in making fortunes from them, while drawing them farther away from Christ. According to Scripture in aRevelation, the beast that comes from the earth is identified as the false prophet: “And I saw three unclean frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of The whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16 vs 13 - 14.) He is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. He seems to do good, but the purpose of his miracles is to deceive.

Because the beast, the Antichrist, is a false messiah, he will be a counterfeit of Christ and will even stage a false resurrection (Revelation 13 vs 14). People will follow and worship him because they will be awed by his power and miracles (Revelation 13 vs 3 - 4). He will unite the world under his leadership (Revelation 13 vs 7 - 8), and He will control the world economy (Revelation 13 vs 16 - 17). 

People are impressed by power and will follow those who display it forcefully or offer it to their followers. But those who follow the beast will only be fooling themselves: He will use his power to manipulate others, to point to himself, and promote evil plans. God, by contrast, uses His infinitely greater power to love and build up. Don’t be misled by claims of great miracles or reports about a resurrection or reincarnation of someone claiming to be Christ. When Jesus returns, he will reveal Himself to everyone (Matthew 24 vs 23 - 28).

In the passage we read today, we saw Pharaoh’s magicians, who duplicated Moses’ signs in Egypt. God performed a miracle by turning Aaron’s rod into a serpent, and Pharaoh’s magicians did the same through trickery and sorcery. Their feats involved trickery or illusion, and they used satanic power, since worshiping gods of the underworld was part of their religion. Ironically, whenever they duplicated one of Moses’s plagues, it only made matters worse. If the magicians had been as powerful as God, they would have reversed the plagues, not added to them. 

Although miracles can help us believe, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God’s work and lead people astray. Pharaoh focused on the miracle rather than the message. We can avoid this error by letting the Word of God be the basis of our faith. No miracle from God would endorse any message that is contrary to the teachings of His Word.

The Scripture in Second Thessalonians 2 vs 9- 10 says, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The lawless one will use “power, signs, and lying wonders” to deceive and draw a following. Miracles from God can help strengthen our faith and lead people to Christ, but all miracles are not necessarily from God. Christ’s miracles were significant, not just because of their power, but because of their purpose—to help, to heal, and to point us to God. 

The man of sin will have power to do amazing things, but his power will be from Satan. He will use this power to destroy and to lead people away from God and toward himself. If any so-called religious personality draws attention only to himself or herself, his or her work is not from God. Be careful and wise!

Prayer: Abba Father, open my eyes of understanding to differentiate between the true prophets and the false prophets, that I may not be led away from You by their false miracles, signs, and wonders, In Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!