Beguiled?

Scripture: Colossians 2 v 18 - 19:
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God."

To be beguiled is to be cheated out of a reward or a legacy.  A person has been distracted from his goal by another so they can take his blessings away.  This world is full of con artists and scamsters who use underhand methods to beguile you into losing out.

The same thing happens spiritually too.  The sad result is that through pride in some pastors or teachers, you are cheated out of a vibrant connection to Jesus, who is the Head, thereby missing out on essential nourishment for your spiritual growth.

If your pastor has been disobedient to the Lord, the whole congregation suffers as a result.  These proud men claim to be humble and try to force you to accept strange visions about interacting with angels.  There is the famous Angel Emma for example, who is very prominent in some Toronto style meetings.

She is known to shake gold dust over the congregation and other manifestations that will beguile you into worshipping of angels, contrary to scripture.  These phenomena do not originate from our God and are just a distraction to cheat you out of a powerful walk with Jesus.

Some people complain that I preach a gloom and doom message about sin, demons and prayerlessness in the church.  They don't like it and would rather read happy messages of wealth and prosperity and blessings.  I must obey the Lord, He gives me these messages to try to steer those who are being deceived, back onto the strait and narrow way that leads to life.

If you are secure in Jesus and following Him faithfully, then use these messages to help those who are struggling.  Find out if they are being beguiled, bewitched and bewildered by pastors, evangelists, prophets or teachers who are teaching the doctrines of men, and demons, and have departed from the truth.

The Church is divided by denominations, sects, cults, factions etc.  How do you know that the church you are a member of is truly pleasing to God?  Every day the Lord tells me to warn His people about the deception they are being beguiled with.  It is increasing because the Antichrist is rising.  He has been on his way for 2000 years and now the time is short.  He invaded the early church and bound it with religion, laws, rules, rites that still confound us today.

Jesus came to set us free of all that pomp and ceremony.  It's all very entertaining and traditional, historical and even moving, but in the eyes of the Lord it means nothing.  Absolutely zero. Epic fail. He came to remove the scales from our eyes and show us the reality.  All the fancy religious outfits, magnificent altars, candles and religious display cannot mask the prayerlessness of it all.

Jesus is coming back for a unified body of people who follow in His footsteps.  They are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  They are submitted to God and do His will.  They love one another, and help each other, ministering the pure gospel without embellishment.

If this describes your life, you are most blessed.  The true body passes through this world but is not of it.  They do not depend on material wealth, only how it may enhance the kingdom of God.  The true Christians will experience persecution and hatred, misunderstanding and isolation, but with it the joy of being found worthy to suffer for His name.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I pray for those who have been beguiled and bewildered to read and understand this message.  I pray for the unity of the Body of Christ and the end of all division.  The One World Interfaith church is trying to achieve this but it is idolatrous and evil. Help us O Lord to know the truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.