File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940404.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                            Monday, April 4, 1994
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          Read:  Colossians 2:1-8

                               HOW TO ESCAPE DECEPTION

                    I am...rejoicing the see your good order and
                     the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
                                   Colossians 2:5

          Deception has always been part of military strategy.  The British
          put  it to good use during World War II in North  Africa  against
          German forces led by General Erwin Rommel.

          They constructed pasteboard look-alikes of tanks and airplanes to
          deceive  the  Germans.  From the air this fake  equipment  looked
          real  enough  to fool reconnaissance personnel, and it  could  be
          easily moved.

          Satan, whom Jesus referred to as "the ruler of this world"  (John
          16:11),  is a master deceiver.  He was the driving  force  behind
          the teachers who were trying to persuade the Colossians to accept
          heresy as truth (Col. 2:4,8).

          Followers  of  Christ today are in a similar battle.  How  do  we
          defend ourselves against deceivers?  Paul used military terms  in
          his  comments to the Colossians that can help us to know what  to
          do.  First,  he  commended  them for their  "good  order,"  which
          refers  to being battle-ready, disciplined soldiers.  Second,  he
          spoke  of  the "steadfastness" of their faith  in  Christ,  which
          refers to having a solid front.  They had an unshaken  commitment
          to their Lord and the advance of His kingdom.

          Don't  be fooled by Satan's lies.  Know the truth of God's  Word,
          and be battle-ready through a disciplined life and an  unswerving
          commitment to Jesus Christ.

          Author:  David C. Egner

                           The shield of faith protects us
                              From Satan's fiery darts;
                              And he cannot deceive us
                           With God's Word in our hearts.
                                        Sper

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          God's truth is the best protection against satan's lies.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  2 Samuel 1-4





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