The Great Deception is Upon Us – the Devil’s Clever Misdirection

Intro Music…

Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well! I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #31!

I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment. I want to take a quick moment to thank some new listeners for tuning into the show last week – welcome aboard and we’re glad to have you!

And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there beside you. If you find ANY value in these episodes, the greatest thank you of all is to pass the work to at least one person you know to help spread the word.

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So, without further ado, let’s get ready to invite God in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.

So here goes, here is today’s topic: “The Great Deception is upon us – the Devil’s Clever Misdirection”

I don’t know about you all, but I assume some of you were like me, growing up, magic performances always amazed, didn’t they? Although I knew it wasn’t real because church warned me, nevertheless, it looked so amazing and real. The more it looked real, the more I was drawn to it. Illusionists, magicians, and those that even simple card tricks or street magic. The more real and intriguing it appeared, the more I was drawn to it and everything around me sort of…disappeared. Then, when the trick was performed flawlessly, just trying to figure out how they could’ve done that was almost equal in amazement to the deception itself and the illusion!

Later on, I learned about how it’s done and it comes down to what is termed, “Misdirection”.

Magicians use misdirection, or what they professional label as “attention management”, as a means of concealing the mechanics of their tricks. They can do this because the human brain naturally processes information in ways that allow it to be influenced to see certain things, but not others. Magicians learned misdirection through basic trial and error.

Other synonyms or like-words for misdirection include: lead-astray, instruct badly, deceive, misaddress, mislead, corrupt, pervert, subvert and demoralize

How is misdirection used in real life?

1. Compel the audience to look away for an instant, so that the maneuver goes undetected (and unsuspected). ...

2. Cover the small, necessary action with a larger movement. ...

3. This way of misdirection is the most subtle, but devastating in the right hands.

Have you ever watched a behind-the-scenes show on magic, where the magician reveals some of his secrets on how some of their magic tricks are performed? If you have, you’ll see that what they do is so basic and easy, you’re left scratching your head in amazement as to how you didn’t see or figure that out before. But by that point, it’s not psychological misdirection, it’s showing the obvious that your brain couldn’t detect, simply because it was focused on something else the magician intended you to focus on. And THAT, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, is how misdirection works in magic.

So we think of all the ‘greats in magic’ that have done some of the world’s best illusions and magic the world has ever seen – Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, David Blaine, Penn & Teller, and many others. Yet, they pale in comparison – in fact, they don’t even make the charts, against the number one magician, illusionist, deceptionist, manipulator, and deceiver of ALL of history – the god of this world, satan. He’s had many thousands and thousands of years to perfect his craft and yet, his is REAL, but in the evil realm of spirituality, which is much, much worse. His illusions help guide people to hell and take others with him – his powers are the worst of them all, and yet so many are blind to them.

But like others, he hones and perfects his craft as well, making his deceptions and illusions and misdirection’s greater with each generation. He’s so good, in fact, it can take generations just to look back and realize the impact he created on Earth by his trickery, that by then, it’s too late to fix. Are you guys following me here? I’m sure you are.

Now, I’ve only been on the Earth 44 years now, and ever since God opened my eyes and ears, and removed the scales from my eyes and mind, and replaced them with His lenses and Living Word, along with the instructor and helper, The Holy Spirit 2 ½ years ago, He’s given me the gift that He’s given many if not most of His children – the ability to see the enemy and his deceptions clearly; the gift of discernment and the ability to see the unseeable, as it is to unbelievers. Almost to the point of a curse, as well as a blessing. I say curse, because to point these out to unbelievers and the lost, is often met with giant deflection and mockery. To them, it’s like you and I trying to convince them that the sky isn’t blue and never was – it was just a different shade of red and they’ve been unable to see it their whole lives. You know what I mean – those of you that have tried to spread the truth. But that’s part of our calling and race we run for the Father. We’re doing the will of the Father, regardless of the perceived or real consequences we face here on Earth – a place that is temporary.

In this episode, I’m going to list 15 deceptions the enemy is using today, as well as what the Word of God says about them so that we can walk away from today’s show just, perhaps a bit more informed and our eyes perhaps opened just a bit wider. After I quickly go over these top 15 deceptions and misdirection’s from the enemy, I’m going to counter them with the Living Word; because like I always stress – NEVER take my word or any other man’s word, including your pastor, unless you can verify that it’s backed up by God’s Word. Otherwise, it’s just man’s word and that amounts to nothing. And by the way – these are MY Top 15 misdirection’s and deceptions; there are MANY, MANY more!

1. Covid – We were all caught off guard by the Coronavirus. Guess who wasn’t? God. If I asked every one of you and the same number of nonbelievers, what has been the biggest issue over the past 2 years, everyone would say COVID, no? At least the major percentage would. Yet, how many of you know that it is not. It’s got the world so tied up in vaccines and doing things we would have never done before, that we are looking to vaccines and stimulus checks, rather than God. The devil gets a HUGE check on his scoreboard for this. Guess what we’re being misdirected from – God and His Word.

2. Good AND Bad government – We saw the half the world erupt into chaos with President Trump was elected. We saw some good and we saw some bad – on both sides of the aisle, but never in history have we seen so much turmoil in the American public towards the president – again, on both sides of the aisle. Those that hated Trump, HATED HIM – to the point that they were murdering him according to the Biblical definition!!!!! Those that loved Trump, LOVED HIM – to the point of idolization and worship!

3. Worldwide catastrophes – I don’t know about you, but there are more earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, heat waves, floods, hurricanes, natural disasters of all types, and other that are setting worldwide records – to the point, I can’t even keep track anymore and they’re almost not even noticed anymore. It’s simply looked at and passed along like another news article feed on your FB or Instagram.

4. Tyranny – I’m hearing and seeing more governments being overthrown and the stirring of the people regarding future plans of tyranny against their governments than I have in my entire life. The most recent being Afghanistan. The second recent and up and coming, folks is in OUR VERY BACK YARD, HERE IN AMERICA!!!

5. Money – The worlds #1 concern is money. From the governments need to fund, to the companies and corporations need to grow, to the general public to receive more from the government and to make more and more during this lifetime of opportunity to make a lot of cash doing a lot of meaningless tasks and side gigs. Money rules the hearts and minds of BILLIONS. I was one of them.

6. Acceptance of what’s unacceptable to God – The things of 50+ years ago that were once taboo and unacceptable to the Lord…..? Guess what? THEY STILL ARE!!!! Yet, not only is it being accepted worldwide and embraced, but it’s being forced onto believers regardless of their religion. Abominations such as: Having gay thoughts and performing gay actions and enforcing and encouraging those in the faith to embrace this, as well as in the pulpit! A first Lutheran preacher is now preaching to a congregation, and they are married to the same sex. This just happened a few weeks ago as a recent example. Not speaking about Jesus or open worship in public places – it’s being condemned everywhere. Things of the Lord found offensive to nonbelievers are being required to be removed from private property and other public and private institutions. Sex before marriage is encouraged – everywhere from schools to commercials to just about everywhere you look. Alcohol and marijuana have become the #1 idol in the home. As is pornography – it’s unregulated, not policed to prevent underage access, and is going nowhere but south, quickly – another idol in the home today.

7. Job Market – we have more need for workers than ever before and on the contrary, we have more people not wanting to work than ever before. They’re living off of those that make the money legitimately and pay their taxes. We’re allowing open borders so that those entering illegally will be benefitting the same or even more than hardworking Americans.

8. Youthfulness - Make us younger, when it doesn’t change our death date. I’m seeing more ways to stay and look younger than ever before – even at the cost of one’s life. Jeff Bezos just announces the creation and funding of a corporation to create the ability for one to live on forever. We have more elective surgery options than ever before, more medicines and ‘magic pills’ than ever before to enhance what God gave us because we’re no longer happy with what our outsides look like, never mind what’s inside, where God actually looks at – the heart. More people die than ever before because they’ve become so vain that a necessary selfie turns into their mode of death.

9. Alternate forms of God – Everything that is placed before or above God, including your own family, is considered an idol. God is love. People are looking everywhere else BUT God to find love – self-love, false love, temporary love, feel-good love, love of evil, selfish-love, and anything they can to live their best life……WITHOUT GOD!

10. Alternate forms of worship – We see more and more worship of astrology, New Age movements, worship of professing pastors that are preaching against the Word of God, not what’s in It. We see worship of the pastors themselves, vs. those they’re professing to preach about, which is Jesus. We see people holding events that look more like a gay pride parade or a electronic music rave or rock/rap concert than it does a place of worship. That’s because it’s not Godly worship.

11. Alternate forms of the Bible – We seem to be relying on FB, Instagram, Twitter, live feeds, and comments sections of all the social media to capture our information regarding Christ, rather than the very living and breathing Word of God Itself!!!!! Why do we use Google and Wikipedia more than we open up the pages of a book that God wrote Himself through others, that has been in front of our eyes for over 2,500 years!?!?!? Why would we take the word of man to replace the word of God? That’s like choosing to ask a question and wanting an answer from a student of God rather than God Himself who’s standing right next to the student. Doesn’t make sense, does it? Yet EVERYONE’S doing it – ALL THE TIME!!!!

12. Protection – The government is now the form of protection that many around the world look to for their safety and protection – stimulus checks, unemployment, healthcare, increased minimum wages, moratoriums on evictions, creation of new laws and executive orders for their benefit, waiting for and expecting handouts, and so many other forms of protection before prayer is even a thought – if it’s EVEN A THOUGHT AT ALL!!!!

13. Peace and happiness – Our peace and happiness now comes from ‘feelings’ and ‘opinions’ and objects of our affection. How many have peace and happiness because of Jesus? We look for peace and happiness in a bottle, in a pill, in a joint, in our bank account, at the bar or club, at the stock market, at the amount of ‘likes’ and so-called ‘friends’ we have on social media, how our days and weeks go, our health and how much fun we have.

14. Commandments – What are those anymore – many proclaimed Christians can’t even agree as to which commandments are required now, or which commandments we need to follow – those of the Old Testament or those of the New Testament! If the Christian community cannot agree, how does the rest of the unbelievers or backslidden know of or agree on? Some even say there were 650 laws of Moses from the Old Testament that were abolished by God once Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected; yet they don’t know about or agree on or even realize there are over 1,150 DO’s and DON’TS listed in the New Testament!!!!!! They agree to once saved always saved, yet many that profess this aren’t truly saved!!!!

15. OT vs NT – This causes strife between people of different faiths, as well as non believers, alike. We hear that the “God of the Old Testament” for instance, believed in slavery, and murdering of children, and hated gay people. Just the title of God of the Old Testament is a misdirection – He is the GOD of ALL!!! He is the great I AM; He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End – He hasn’t changed and never will! Perfection cannot become any more or less perfect – He’s defines Perfect and is the only One who is!!!! Yet, even many Christians believe He ‘changed’ somehow to become the so-called “God of the New Testament”. That’s not in our Bibles, that from the devil. God doesn’t conform to the times – SATAN and his followers do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Covid-

The spread of sicknesses such as the coronavirus is a foretaste of pandemics that will be part of the end times. Jesus referred to future plagues associated with the last days (Luke 21:11). There will be great qearthquakes, and in various places rfamines and pestilences. And there will besterrors and great tsigns from heaven.

Good AND Bad government –

The Bible speaks decisively to this issue. Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. ... So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.”

Romans 13:1-7

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Peter 2:13-17

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Worldwide catastrophes –

Catastrophes -

Bible prophecies suggest that there would be disasters during “the conclusion of the system of things,” or “the last days.” (Matthew 24:3; 2 Timothy 3:1) For example, concerning our time, Jesus said: “There will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.” (Matthew 24:7) Soon, God will rid the earth of all causes of pain and suffering, including natural disasters.—Revelation 21:3, 4.

Matthew 24:6-12

Next, Jesus talked about political turmoil and war. Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes were also mentioned. As if His words were not already discouraging enough, He added that these events are only the “beginning of sorrows.”

Tyranny –

Isaiah 54:14

"In righteousness you'll be established; you will be far from tyranny, for you won't be afraid, and from terror, for it won't come near you.

Then is the line drawn over which must cross those who would be obedient to God more than government? If a person knows without a shadow of doubt that the government which he is instructed in the scriptures to serve has instructed him to disobey God, should he then not resist? If so, then how? How strongly?

1 Peter 2:13 - 17 states that to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake is a good thing. Whether to the King (President) or to Governors ( Civil Authorities) as unto those who are sent by God to put lawlessness down by the punishment of evildoers and to give praise to those that do well. For so is the will of God, that with the welldoing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. (Ps.14:1) As free men, and not using your liberty as a cloak to hide maliciousness behind, but as servants of God. If then, being servants of God with liberty, the government is obeyed without question, does not the servant of God disobey his Lord? Where is the wisdom in this?

Money –

Proverbs 23:5 says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” A good job or business and its steady earnings can be here today and gone tomorrow. Be rich in good deeds.

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. ... Once we begin to serve money, and do anything to get more of it – it won't be long before money becomes your master.

Jesus says in Matthew 19:24 "I'll say it again-it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of A needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Acceptance of what’s unacceptable to God – The things of 50+ years ago that were once taboo and unacceptable to the Lord…..? Guess what? THEY STILL ARE!!!! Yet, not only is it being accepted worldwide and embraced, but it’s being forced onto believers regardless of their religion. Abominations such as: Having gay thoughts and performing gay actions and enforcing and encouraging those in the faith to embrace this, as well as in the pulpit! A first Lutheran preacher is now preaching to a congregation, and they are married to the same sex. This just happened a few weeks ago as a recent example. Not speaking about Jesus or open worship in public places – it’s being condemned everywhere. Things of the Lord found offensive to nonbelievers are being required to be removed from private property and other public and private institutions. Sex before marriage is encouraged – everywhere from schools to commercials to just about everywhere you look. Alcohol and marijuana have become the #1 idol in the home. As is pornography – it’s unregulated, not policed to prevent underage access, and is going nowhere but south, quickly – another idol in the home today.

1 John 3:4

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Job Market –

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Matthew 6:25-27.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Youthfulness -

1 Peter 3 - What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition.

4-6 Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Alternate forms of God –

There is only one God and God is three divine persons all in one. The father, son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Throughout Scripture we learn that Jesus is God in the flesh. God shares His glory with no one. Only God can die for the sins of the whole world.

To say a man, prophet, or an angel can die for the world is blasphemy. If someone denies Jesus as God in the flesh they are serving a false god. Many people who are worshiping and praying in the church today are not praying to the God of the Bible, but one they made up in their mind.

Neither are false religions like Mormonism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, Jehovah Witnesses, Hinduism, etc. The Bible is the most scrutinized book ever made. Through intense scrutiny over centuries the Bible still stands and it puts all these false religionsand their false gods to shame. We are in the end times so false gods are created daily.

What is on your mind the most? Whatever it is that is your god. God is angry at Americaand its false gods like money, Iphones, Twitter, Instagram, PS4′s, cars, girls, sex, celebrities, drugs, malls, gluttony, sin, houses, etc. Trust in Christ and trust in Christ alone.

What does the Bible say?

1. Exodus 20:3-4 “Never have any other god. Never make your own carved idols or statues that represent any creature in the sky, on the earth, or in the water.

2. Exodus 34:17 “Do not make any idols.

3. Deuteronomy 6:14 Never worship any of the gods worshiped by the people around you.

Alternate forms of the Bible –

1 Peter 1:25

25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

2 Peter 3:16

16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Acts 17:11

11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Luke 11:28

28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17

15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Protection

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:18

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

Psalm 91:1-16

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Peace and happiness –

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 16:8-9

“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”

John 15:11

“These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Psalm 19:8

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

1 Peter 4:13

“But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Commandments –

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

John 15:10

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

Matthew 19:17

And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

2 John 1:6

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

Matthew 22:37-40

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

OT vs NT –

Revelations 22:18 -19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:6

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

The point of today’s episode is to Shake You Awake and Away from the deceptions and misdirection of the enemy – there are too many distractions created by the enemy to redirect, mislead, misdirect and deflect those that would otherwise be on the right path. God’s already won – the enemy has already been defeated, but as we see in today’s current state of the world, the enemy is on hyperdrive to take down and mislead as many to destruction, along with him, as he possibly can. We have the Guidebook and Guide, God and His Word, to prevent us from going astray. Take the blinders off and allow Him to lead you in both truth and knowledge. Stay on the straight and narrow path, that few find.

My final statement is this: The forms may change and the temptations may vary. But the devil and his cohorts seek disrupt, distract and misdirect the people of God. We need to do whatever it takes to focus on the Word of God, worship the Lord, quiet the voices of distraction, and remove the misdirection of the enemy.

If you are not in the Word of God, you need to be there. If you are not in a place of vital worship, you need to get there. In the last passage in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught on the danger of getting distracted from the Word. "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)

So, my final question to you is then this: Where is your CURRENT walk leading you to believe, to act, to place your hope, faith, happiness, peace, joy, and truth in? Is it of the world, or is of the Word? You can only serve one – which will you serve?

So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by God through today’s message and scripture. I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen.

Check out the show at shaken-awake.com, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com or call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208. If you have ideas for the show – LET ME KNOW!

Next week!!!! Tune in Next Sunday – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as Shaken Awake gets Shaken Awake by Michael Sanders of West Virgina!

Next weeks episode is another powerful and DO-NOT-MISS episode – thanks for joining!

Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.

Outro music.