7/23/13 2:56 PM GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Hello Saints, In this newsletter I would like to share my thoughts with you about Enemy Deceptions. During my daily devotional I came upon an article that was so true to my heart and want to share it with everyone who has stood by me and continued to pray for this ministry and myself, and their continued monthly support. Before I share the article I would like everyone to know that despite all my health problems I m still going forward sharing God s Word with all I come in contact with, especially in the Jails & Prisons. Hallelujah!! The economy has forced some good people to make bad decisions and the Jails & Prisons continue to remain overcrowded. It s hard to think that a man or woman could go to prison for stealing some food for their children, who never had any kind of criminal record. In the last year, here in Florida, 3 elderly people robbed a bank because their Social Security wasn t enough to house them and feed them. They resorted to desperate measures, committed a crime in order go to jail to get a roof over their heads and 3 meals a day. What a sad shame!
There are others who have been laid off work and had their homes foreclosed and they too have gone through some drastic measures and wound up arrested and in jail. Normally I would criticize the Church for not coming to these people s aid, but the economy has also affected much of the work the Church does. During Recessions and tough times, one of the first things people pull back on, is their Tithes. It should be the last, but desperation causes us to do desperate things without thinking. This ministry has lost more than 75% of its annual income because of the poor economy and barely makes ends meet each month. But, God is still Jehovah Jireh!! Amen & Amen!! He is still on the Throne, and He is still our provider. By God s Saving grace, we continue to make an impact. We continue to live by Faith.
Now regarding to the article I want to share with all of you titled: ENEMY DECEPTIONS Written in the 6th century BC by Chinese General, Sun Tzu. The Art of War has been a guide for military thinking for centuries. But it has also been used by men and women in a wide variety of other arenas, including leadership, management, business, politics, and sports. What sun Tzu wrote about military warfare can help followers of Christ to understand the tactics of our spiritual enemy. All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. It should remind us all that Jesus was falsely accused by Satan deceiving others minds then, just as he is continually doing in today s world.
Likewise, the spiritual warfare that Satan wages against us is also based on deceit. In fact, the very first sin was the result of the enemy s deception. Notice what Paul said in writing to the believers at Corinth: I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor. 11:3) This Truth is what gives such importance to our Lord s warning that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), ever seeking to deceive us.
What is our defense? To saturate our hearts in the Truth of God s Word. Only God s inspired Truth can protect us against the deceptions of the enemy. This wonderful statement was written by Bill Crowder in the June edition of Daily Bread. Matthew 26:57-64 details the account of false witnesses against Jesus when He was on trial before Caiaphas the high priest. This Scripture is laced with irony. Trials, in the judicial sense, are aimed at finding the Truth. At Jesus trial before Caiaphas, nothing but lies and false testimony could be heard, and even those contradicted one another. When two witnesses finally agreed in testimony against Jesus and He answered the accusation truthfully, they accused Him of blasphemy. They said He was lying. Satan will always deceive more than one person s mind to slander others, in order to make the one telling the truth, considered the liar. Please continue to pray for this ministry and its funding, my health, and this United States of America to always remain One Nation Under God!! Amen A fellow bondservant,