This warning serves as a reminder to us that we are living in perilous times, where false prophets and teachers will arise and attempt to lead us astray with false doctrine. Ephesians 4 reminds us, that, grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift, to be apostles and prophets and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry; but, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ, we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced, when people try to trick us with lies so clever, they sound like the truth. Therefore, we must meditate on God’s word and pray for discernment, so that we will be able to speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church and not be led astray.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, God knows my name and he also knows your name. His word reminds us, that, before we were born he knew us, he set us apart for his purpose, and so, those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them; and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Therefore, let us follow him closely, learning to listen to his voice, so that at the appointed time and he calls us by name, we could boldly say, ‘Here I am Lord, send me’.

The gentiles shall see your righteousness and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, you shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall be no more termed ‘Forsaken’ nor shall your land anymore be termed ‘Desolate’ but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah, for the Lord delights in you. Isaiah 62: 2-4

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne, O Lord, mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength and in Your favor our horn is exalted, for our shield belongs to the Lord. Psalm 89:14-18

“Oh, sister, are you now walking in His blessed light? Are you now cleansed from every guilty stain? Is He your joy by day and your song by night? Tell it over and over and over again. When toiling up the way, was the Savior there? Did Jesus bear you up with His tender care? Never have you found such a friend as He. So, tell it over and over and over again. All the world should hear what He has done for you. Go, tell it over and over and over again”.

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” I am so very thankful that I am not controlled by a spirit of fear to tell others of the goodness of the Lord, that I am strengthened daily by his powerful hand, that I am born of love and that I operate in a sound mind. Lord, continue to use me as a vessel to preach the Gospel, so that those who do not know you may come to know you in a intimate way, to understand that your goodness never fails, that in you is fullness of joy. Lord my prayer this morning is for you lift us up and let us stand; by faith on heavens thirsty land, no higher plain that we have found, Lord, plant our feet on higher ground.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, you and I could renew our Baptismal vows at any time and as often as we wish, as we will undoubtedly break our promises in thought, word, or deed; and God understands our frailty in our service to him, and that is why he remains faithful to us, even when we are unfaithful to him, but, this does not mean that we should continually sin, but strive to walk in God’s way, and if we are weakened by sin and the evil way, let us repent and return to the Lord. Too many of us have fallen short and give the Devil the opportunity to plunder us, to the point where we are ashamed to return to the Lord, and instead of returning, we draw farther away from God. My brothers and sisters in Christ, there is nothing outside of blasphemy that God will not forgive us. Therefore, if you have allowed sin to run rampant in your life and cause you to stray, it’s time to come home. Come home to Jesus, he is forgiving and faithful.

“Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood, would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonder working power in the blood. Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide, there’s wonder working power in the blood. Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow, there’s wonder working power in the blood. Would you do service for Jesus your King? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; would you live daily His praises to sing? There’s wonder working power in the blood. In the precious blood of the Lamb”.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, my prayer for you and I this morning, is that we all not just be hearers of God’s word, but doers of his word; and we could only be successful in doing the will of God when we are committed to him. I want to ask you this morning, how committed are you? Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Master? For, unless we commit ourselves to God, and living daily for God, we will not be able to fully understand the will of God for us. There is nothing that we have living in the flesh, or can do in the flesh, that will never bring us as much joy as when we have received the gift of salvation. There is joy in the service of the Lord! It is challenging, but rewarding. When I look back at the things I gained in my sinful state, I am ashamed; and Scripture cannot lie, Romans 6:20-23 says, “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in death. But, now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”.

“But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches. God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses”. To God be the glory!