Are You Being Deceived?

Are you, one of the many who are being deceived, by the end of the world prophecies and predictions for the year 2012? It is a diversion. A mind occupier, that subscribes to hopelessness and fear. It does not have to be this way. Orthodox believers do not subscribe to the occult. Rather, we are instructed to be praying always in the spirit, with confidence, in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God has our back....

If you are not trusting in God, then you've placed your trust in men. God tells us that we are to be keeping our eye on Him, while loving each other, our neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Everyone. If we haven't the understanding that we are all brothers and sisters on this earth, then, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. A Kingdom of Love. We are especially, today, called to focus on that love, by outreach to one another, seeing in them their sufferings and trying, by anyway possible, to alleviate the pain inflicted by the adversary, by acts of kindness and by prayer. The tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison and deceiption. How hypocritical and contradictory our speech can be at times. Is it today expressing the heavenly which is planted inside you? One that says God is in control and has not forsaken you, because of His great love for mankind and His desire that all be saved?

A Christian's hope springs Eternal, as God is Eternal. Learn in any circumstance that He is always there, with words of encouragement. So that in every trial and endurance: Love God! For He Himself has said, (Hebrews 13:5)"I will never leave you nor forsake you." We can proclaim (6) "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, What can man do to me?" Man cannot take from you what has been given to you, by way of Baptism and through the Sacraments of the Church. Be peacemakers. Extend a smile and a handout. Show the way by your hospitality and kindness "love", rising above every down-troden situation. God is aware of it, He knows all things and is in control. It should be His will, not ours.

The only knowledge that has merit, is if it points to life eternal. (John 17:3)"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 3:15) "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

Who and what is your focus on? Is it life, and life eternally, or is it death? If you are consumed with end time theories or predictions, which do not lift you spiritually and fill you with the joy and peace that you should be experiencing, It is suggested that you refocus on the "truth" which tells us there is no end, but life eternal, through the only source of life, Christ the lifegiver, who tells us that He has come to give us life and life in abundance.

Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Seek and you will find. (Matt: 7-7 Rev. 3:20)You will find that perfect love casts out all fear. (1John 4:18).

(1Peter 5:6) "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist Him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever." Amen.

All references are taken from: The Orthodox Study Bible