Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

 

Prayer Focus: 

Have you ever believed something that is not true?  If you have, then you’ve experienced deception.  If it’s not true, then it’s a lie!  Is it possible that the majority of people around us could be deceived?  Is it possible that large numbers of people could believe a lie?  What percentage of our communities and culture have determined that, in 2010 we are no longer in the “dark ages” and the manner of sexual expression outside of marriage has no moral implications, that prostitution and homosexuality are not morally offensive, taking what belongs to others is okay if you need it, greed is a good thing, lifestyles under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not a big deal, if you can cheat and get away with it then no harm is done – good for you?  God’s Word clearly tells us that those who hold those viewpoints are being deceived!  They have been lied to!

The truth is that, those who buy into the deceptions: that sexual immorality is okay, adultery and prostitution and homosexuality is okay, or stealing, greed, drunkenness, lying, cheating and swindling are acceptable, will be kept out of the kingdom of God!  That’s a troubling thought in 2010, when so many of our friends and neighbors see nothing wrong with one or more of these Kingdom-barring offenses.  Deception will keep people out of the Kingdom of God!  Believing lies will keep people out of the Kingdom of God.  And, remember that Paul is writing to believers as he warns us, “Do not be deceived…”  He would say, be careful not to buy into the philosophies and persuasions of the culture around you.

Some of us used to believe these deceptions, but we were washed, sanctified by truth, made right in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!  Our culture can, many times, subtly and not so subtly, be very influentially persuasive with the arguments for accepting these deceptive lies, but don’t be deceived!  Let the truths of God’s Word have such a stronghold in your life that you will be guarded against the lies and deceptions that permeate our culture.

 

 

Thursday:        

• Praise God for the gifts of His Word – the Truth, that will keep us from deception.
• Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team (in prayer if not in person).         

Friday:             

• Ask God to teach you the importance of discernment and guarding against deception.
• Pray for the Good News families of the week: Jim & Dina Priester (A.J., Allison, Sammy), Paul & Karen Rose (Cora, Paul, Shayne), Dennis & Sherry Smith.

Saturday:       

• Ask God to show you what lies and deceptions you may have been influenced by.

Sunday:          

• Pray for the Truth to permeate our lives, our homes, our Church, our community, land and nation.
• Join in with our Sunday prayer services to pray for God’s presence and blessing.

 Monday:         

• Pray for those who lead our homes, our communities, our churches, our land and nation, that they will not be deceived and that they will guard the Truth as they lead in their areas of responsibility.
• Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.

 Tuesday:       

• Pray that our church will be a fellowship where members love the truth and hate deception so sincerely that we will not become victims of lies, nor be kept from the Kingdom of God.

Wednesday:   

• Pray that our church will be a people who are free from deception in their homes, work places, places of recreation and business, and in our fellowship as believers in the Truth.

 

Prayer Challenge: Confess the ways that you may have been deceived by the standards and philosophies of the community around you.  Ask God to fill you with His Spirit of Truth so that you may always have a discerning spirit that will guard you from all lying and deception.