The Darkness of Deception | Risen Hope Ministries

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all! I truly hope and pray that your day is going well…and that you will truly come to see that the light of God’s presence is all we need, during the dark moments of despair…Amen!!
You know…I have come to see many times in my life, as to how Satan can place thoughts into our minds; that attempt to take our hearts to a place of worry, doubt and fear; but when we know the truth…and truly take hold of the truth and believe it with a whole heart, rather than being drawn into Satan’s deceptive lies; then speaking the truth alone, can truly become the key that unlocks our hearts and keeps us free from a prison cell of bondage and despair.  
Sometimes it’s hard for me to imagine why we would ever want to believe deception over truth. Is it that Satan has made the deceptive lie more convincing than the truth…or could it be that we are weak in spirit…to the place where we can’t decide what is real and what isn’t.
There have been many mornings, when Satan reminds me of all that needs to be done in my day…only to follow through with thoughts that attempt to convince me that I can’t do all of that work, due to the health situations I’m struggling with…but you know what…I have come to see that all these thoughts are only an attempt to keep me from serving God, while trying to get me to give up on life completely. The minute I choose to get up and begin the day; I see that these thoughts were only lies…as God gives me the strength I need to continue on…and even complete my day, in a way that I never expected. You know…we need to remember that when we believe these deceptive lies; then our journey with God will only come to a halt, while we remain controlled by evil, in a prison cell of despair, which only makes our situation even worse.
One thing we must remember is this…we don’t have to remain in these dark and deceptive moments, when Jesus lives within us; for He says to us in Matthew 12:46… “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” In other words…when we take the time to discern between what is deceptive and what is the truth, rather than rushing through what is being conveyed to us; then we will not only see the truth for what it really is; but we will see how the truth keeps us in the light of God’s presence, while worry, doubt and fear remains distant and in the darkness from which it came.
I wonder how many of us have taken hold of the bait of deception that Satan has thrown our way. Don’t we realize that when we choose to hold onto those deceptive thoughts and lies; that Satan only continues to control our hearts and minds, while enhancing the situation we’re already facing?
So many times, we can feel as if the power of darkness and deception will overtake us; but the thing we must remember is this… “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)…and when we know the truth; then the truth is what will free us from all the side effects of evil. (John 8:32)
No matter what we go through in this life; Satan is always going to work overtime to keep it alive…and how does He do that…by getting us to see and believe the situation in a different light…one that can convince us that life will never get better. If you are experiencing something like this today, may I encourage you to seek the truth…the real truth…and let go of what may be deceiving you; that you may be free from worry…doubt and fear…and everything that Satan has attempted to use, as a means of keeping you in darkness. Once you have done this…remain in the light of God’s presence, by counteracting the works of evil with prayer and God’s word. The hope we live with is that no matter how dark the situation…it can never overcome us…praise God!!
Have a great day…and God bless! See ya soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane