Life is filled with warning signs like, “Bridge Out Ahead.” “Poison.”
“Do Not Operate Machinery After Taking This Medication.” "Rip
Current” “Soft Shoulder.” “Road Narrows.” “Do Not Pass.” “Detour.”
“Travel Advisory.” We are wise to heed them. Have you ever
considered the four places God placed a "Be Not Deceived” warning
sign in the New Testament? Jesus warned, "Take heed that you not
be deceived. For many will come in My name..." (Luke 21:8). It is
ironic that this warning about false teachers was given to four
disciples whom we think could never be deceived—Peter, Andrew,
James and John. Now, if those men who had travelled with Him for
three-and-a-half years could be deceived, shouldn't we "Consider
Yourself Warned”?

The second time the expression is found in the New Testament is in
1 Corinthians 6:9, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners
will inherit the kingdom of God." In an age of increasing immorality,
America should heed this warning sign from God. “Consider
Yourself Warned.”
In this same letter, Paul gives the "Be Not Deceived" warning the
third time. "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits"
(1 Cor. 15:33). We often give this warning about how evil
companions corrupt good morals to young people, but older ones
need to heed it just as much. If you think that your ungodly friends
could never pull you down, you have already been deceived!
"Consider Yourself Warned.”
The fourth time the expression is found is in Galatians 6:7-8. "Do not
be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he
will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap
corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap
everlasting life.” Every person is either sowing to the Spirit or he is
sowing to the flesh. Your life is either focused on this world and all of
its deceptive appeal, or it's focused on your spiritual side. If you
think you can live in both of these worlds at the same time, you have
already ignored the heavenly danger sign.
Wise individuals read and heed warning signs. Wiser individuals
read and heed heavenly ones. Are you wise?
Dan Jenkins

When the people of Judah returned from Babylonian captivity,
they began the work of the rebuilding of the temple. But soon
afterward, the people became lazy and self-centered and stopped
working altogether. The prophet Haggai wrote his little book to
motivate the people to resume the project.
Since the church is the temple of God today (1 Cor. 3:16-17), we
would do well to note the factors that were needed in Haggai’s
day for making the temple as God desired. Utilizing these will
lead to great church success today, as well. From Haggai chapter
1, we can see the three “ships” they needed and we still need
today:

Fellowship (v.1-11). The people had disassociated themselves
from the collective and were living their own selfish, materialistic
lives. They needed to get back together. Let us remember that
fellowship in the church is a vital element for encouragement and
success (Heb. 10:24-25). Other “ships” under this category would
be citizenship (Eph. 2:19) and worship (Phil. 3:3).

Leadership (v.12-14a). Because Zerubbabel, Joshua, and
Haggai stepped up and took charge, they were able to lead the
people forward. A part of their leadership involved being obedient
to God’s plan. No less is needed today in the spiritual leadership
of the church – men leading through the example of following
God (1 Tim. 3:1-16), and the church following them (Heb. 13:17).
This kind of leadership leads to harmony and success. Other
“ships” under this category would be membership (Eph. 5:30) and
discipleship (Acts 14:21-22).

Partnership (v.14-15). The people then did work together,
contributing both resources and talents (see also Haggai 2:1-9).
Because they did this, God promised blessings (Haggai 2:19). It
is the same in the church today – working together and every
member doing their part for productivity and success (Eph. 4:11-
16). Other “ships” under this category would be stewardship (1
Pet. 4:10) and workmanship (Heb. 6:10).

Let us indeed “consider our ways” (Haggai 1:5, 7; 2:15, 18; cf. 2
Cor. 13:5) and do our part in these areas, knowing they will bring
about “smooth sailing” for the Lord’s church.
Edd Sterchi

What happens to the one who serves the wrong master? Remember with me
David and Goliath. A young shepherd boy faces off against the giant champion of
the enemy army. The story is one of danger and risk but also of courage and loyalty.
Usually, this is the focus when we read 1 Samuel 17. The heroic tale of David and
Goliath. However, in truth there were many other people present we could learn
from. One person which sparks my interest is Goliath’s “shield-bearer” (1 Sam 17:7).
A shield-bearer is exactly what it sounds like. His job is to follow Goliath at all times
and use his massive shield on defense so his master can focus on the offense. Recall
for a moment the setting of this famous duel. The army of Israel was camped on one
side of the valley while the army of Philistia was camped on the other side. Between
the two armies stood Goliath and his shield-bearer, taunting the Israelites and their
God for forty days (1 Sam 17:16). Now, would it be a stretch to say the shield-bearer
had full faith Goliath could win no matter who faced him? That his master would
lose to no one? Yet not too long later, the same master he trusted in had his head
cut off right before his eyes (1 Sam 17:51). Then the armies of the living God, of
Israel chased the Philistine armies all the way back home. Question, after Goliath
died, who was the closest Philistine to Israel’s camp? Likely, it was the
shield-bearer. As a result, he was the first to be killed after his master. For what
reason? For defying the armies of the living God (1 Sam 17:26, 26, 45). The
shield-bearer simply chose to serve the wrong master.
So, what can we learn from the shield-bearers decision? First, the one
who chooses any master over the one true living God, he despises God. Jesus said
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other (Matt 6:24).” If I place anything in
my life before the Lord, then I am no different from the shield-bearer, choosing to
serve a master who mocks God. Secondly, when one does put God first, He will take
care of them. David chose to put God first and was delivered in battle. Later in his
life David writes, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the
righteous forsaken (Psalm 37:25).” This is true for us today. Jesus agreed saying “seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to
you (Matt 6:33).” The shield-bearer chose to serve Goliath and died but when we
choose to serve Jesus, He promises to take care of us. The question for us is: Which
master will I serve?
Alex Viquez

Kansei Matsuzawa is from Tokyo, Japan. He grew up there playing
soccer until the thought occurred to him as a teenager that he wanted
to try American football after watching his first NFL game. He had never
kicked a football until the age of 20. Of course, it took a lot of practice
as well as watching YouTube and Instagram videos. Last Saturday,
Kansei’s last second kick helped Hawaii defeat Stanford if both teams’
2025 opener. This is his fourth year of playing college football in
America. His goal is to kick in the NFL, and who’s to doubt him? He’s
come so far already!
What have you wanted to try to do for the Lord but convinced yourself
is impossible? Memorize 100 Scriptures? Preach a sermon? Teach a
class? Share the gospel with a lost soul? Serve in church leadership?
Whatever is within the scope of God’s will and authorization and
whatever is within the field of human possibility, you can do it! Find the
tools needed and use them. Research, explore, and attempt! Consider
what happened when men and women in Bible times thought this way:

• Caleb was ready to fight giants (Num. 13:30), then 40 years
later he drove them out (Jos. 14:12; 15:14).
• Jael, an unassuming woman, killed the evil commander of an
army with a tent peg and ended Canaan’s oppression of Israel
(Jud. 4:17-23).
• David slew a frightening giant with a sling and a rock (1 Sam.
17:49-50).
• David’s mighty men, Adino, Eleazar, Shammah, Abishai, and
Benaiah, among others, did incredibly daring and memorable
things among God’s enemies (2 Sam. 23:8ff).
• Elijah out-dueled 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and called
down fire from heaven (1 Ki. 18:36-46).
• Peter walked on water (Mat. 14:28-29), then later preached the
first gospel sermon (Acts 2:21-36).
• Paul won the Gentile world to Christ in one incredible effort after
another (Acts 13-28).
• Hebrews 11 breaks down a highlight reel of incredible, often
unlikely, accomplishments men and woman made for God by
faith through the ages.
It still happens today. No, not through miraculous means and not of the
physical, material kind. Not even in episodes that are earth-shattering
and dramatic. It may be a brief conversation, a courageous stand, an
act of service, or a show of genuine love.
God once asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Ex. 4:2). Is He
asking you and me that? The answer? “Whatever your hand finds to do,
do it with all your might” (Ec. 9:10)!
Neal Pollard