There is no doubt, as we begin a new year, that we are living in troubled perilous times.  Many of us wonder what the new year will bring.  Local governmental and world leaders are trying to deceive us and turn us to their ungodly way of thinking.  Please bear with me while I review with you some of the latest happenings before we get to the good Word of the Lord.

A new statue called the "Guardian of International Peace and Security" has been placed on the Visitor's Plaza outside the U.N. Headquarters in New York.  The giant statue has an uncanny resemblance to an end-time "beast" described by the Apostle John, in Revelation 13:2 (New American Standard Bible 2020) which reads, "And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon (a name for satan) gave him his power and his throne, and great authority." I strongly suggest you read through the remainder of Chapter 13 of Revelation.

Secondly, according to William Hale at sandiegonewsdesk.com, some large California school districts "will become less academically rigorous."  "New policy will prohibit students from earning grades worse than a "C."  With this new approach called 'mastery-based learning', failing will no longer be a possibility." The author goes on to write, "simply removing the potential for academic failure doesn't actually help students learn and comprehend material, rather it could incentivize students to give even less effort than before."  To lower learning standards will lead to a less educated populous and a more controllable citizenry.  Those in authority know that a mindless population will do whatever they are told to do.

Thirdly, a Pennsylvania politician is advancing legislation which would mandate the sterilization of adult men after their third child is born or they turn forty years old, which ever comes first. (Charisma magazine)

Also, the New York Post reported on December 23, 2021, "The satanic deity Baphomet as a swaddling babe is on display at the Capitol of Illinois in Springfield."

I share these news reports because it has come to my attention that many believers are not even aware that these things are taking place and are clueless about the rise in bold actions of those who worship satan.

Again, I will speak a word to believers, in the United States, who have ignored the warnings of the media becoming a tool of propaganda in deceiving listeners to believe lies concerning truth and all that is righteous.  They portray those who have a heart for the truth and the Lord as those who do not know the truth.  We must guard our hearts and minds from their lies and deception.

2 Timothy 3:1-4,13 and 14 (NASB20) tells us, "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ... 13 But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,"

Psalm 40:4 (New King James Version), "Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."  We must make a concerted effort to trust God and not be influenced by lies.  Believe me, the enemy's lies will sound good and be very compelling.

Remember who the enemy is:  John 8:44 (NASB20), "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies."  Then, we read in John 10:10a (NASB20), "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  As we enter and continue in these evil days, we must not let our guard down, for the devil's plan for us includes only death and destruction!

We see in 1 John 4:1-3 (NASB20), "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world."  The Greek word for 'test' is dokimazo, meaning to examine, prove, and scrutinize. Please, do not believe everything you hear and take it at face value...the Word declares that if possible, in the end times, even the very elect of God will be deceived.

God has given us His Holy Spirit, Who indwells us.  We see in the following scriptures that He is the one who reveals the truth. John 14:16,17 and 26 (NASB20), "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. ... 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you."  Then we read in John 16:13 and 14 (NASB20), "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you."

When we fear God, He will direct our path.  Psalm 25:12 (New Living Translation), "Who are those who fear (fearing, reverencing) the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose."

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 (NKJV), "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." The word which was translated "heart", used in this passage, is the Hebrew word 'leb' which means soul, comprehending mind, affections, and will.

We must trust God with our whole heart and not put our trust in our own knowledge or what we think is true.  We must be willing to change our minds, if necessary, to align with God's truth.  In verse 6, we find two especially significant words - "ways" and "acknowledge."  According to the Kingdom Dynamics commentary in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, "The Hebrew word for 'ways' is derek, which means a: a road, a course, or a mode of action.  It suggests specific opportunities a person may encounter.  In each day, we should acknowledge God, and in so doing, He will direct our paths of life."  Acknowledge is the Hebrew word 'yada'.  "Elsewhere yada is translated "know" meaning to know by observation, investigation, reflection, or first hand experience.  The highest level of 'yada' is in direct intimate contact.  It suggests an intimacy with God (in prayer) which leaves us open to hear His directives."  The word 'direct' in verse 6 means to make straight or right.

Isaiah 55:6 (NASB20), "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

”Psalm 32:6-8 (New International Version), "Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." 

We are instructed to seek God when He is near.  He will deliver and instruct (teach, give insight to) us.  There are times when the Holy Spirit is specifically prompting us to listen and be responsive.  That is the time to seek God.  As we listen to Him, He will deliver and keep us from trouble and teach us in the way which we should go.

We can take great comfort and hope from the following scriptures.

Isaiah 43:1-3a (NLT), "But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT), "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"

Isaiah 30:21 (NASB20), "Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left."

In our daily walk, God, by His Spirit will direct us in each decision we need to make.  Psalm 27:11-14 (NASB20) reads, " Teach me Your way, LORD, And lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my enemies, for false witnesses have risen against me, and the violent witness. 13 I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."

As I express in all of my blogs, God's Word is always the foundation of truth that guides us.  His Word lights our way through the darkness.

Psalm 119:105 and 130 (NLT), "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. ... 130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand."

I will end today's blog by encouraging you to: Seek God, pray, and ask for His direction.  Trust the Holy Spirit, who is in you, to direct and reveal truth to you.

Numerous times in Scripture, we are instructed to be alert, not be found sleeping, and to watch!

Be aware of the signs of the times.

Do Not Be Caught Off Guard.

Hear the voice of God.

Submit to His leading.