The false prophets are here!

"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many...And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many..." Matthew 24: 4-5,11

A good friend of mine reminded me of an occurrence near Atlanta, Ga, a few years ago. A woman claimed that "the virgin Mary" had appeared to her and told her that the water in her well was now blesses and was, in fact, Holy water. Somehow, this news item hit the main stream news and it became an international sensation. People by the thousands began to show up at this woman's house. She began to sell small vials of this "Holy" water for $8.00 a vial. Tour buses were chartered to bring the people, seeking a sign from God and a blessing. This woman sold many, many bottles of water.

Finally, the state of Ga decided it might be a good idea to investigate the cleanliness of the "Holy Water", since it was being sold to the public. So, the health department was sent out to test it. Low, and behold, they discovered that this "holy water" was not so holy! "Holy" as you know, means "pure". This "pure" water was not only not pure, it was so contaminated that the state shut off the use of the well, even the use of the woman who owned it.

This is a sad case of people being hungry for God, but looking for him in all the wrong places. Many are the false religions that claim to have a insight from God, given to them by an Angel (i.e. Mormonism, Islam, etc), even though scripture tells us that "if we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you any other Gospel, let them be accursed". Yet, many follow after the latest fad, the latest faith healer, the latest soul winning gimmick, the biggest named preachers who have been falling by the wayside by the droves lately.

The truth is that we don't need to seek after a sign from God. Scripture says that "these signs shall follow them that believe." We are not to follow after men, for men will always let us down. Even Godly men make mistakes. We are to, in all things, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

Whatever our need, Jesus is our answer. However dire the situation may be, Jesus is our way out. Many false religions prosper because they fool well meaning men and women by their good works. This is possible because people don't like to pray and study to show themselves approved of God. Politicians use the word of God to get elected, but live lives about as far away from a godly lifestyle as heaven is from hell.

The bottom line is this: "Buy the truth and sell it not." Jesus says "I am the truth." Therefore we are to give all the we have, are, and ever will be to obtaining a relationship with our almighty God- Jesus!