The real evil....

1 Corinthians 9:24New International Version (NIV)

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Again we are all admonished to throw off all that hinders, 

Hebrews 12:1-3New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Happy Halloween to you! Trick or treat? Which way would you like to be deceived today? We are all so deceived and we have all lost our power to reckon with the deception, because we have chased after other things, things that cannot save. Often I think about the masks we wear and why we wear them, don't you? Well, I think that I know why I do! I'm to interested in the treat to face the truth head on in my life.  Treat? The tricks are a little more vicious on the surface, but far more easily reconciled once the deception has taken place.  The treat is a little more under the radar and in many ways...far more dangerous. The tricks of life last only but a part of our day...a moment in our week and are then thrown into the fire and burned with the rest of the rubbish, right? But, it's the treat...the promise of that candy or carrot that invites us to pursue something that will never lead to joy, that will never lead to peace. Sadly, sometimes this wild, wilderness pursuit is the pursuit that takes our life time! Our goal and true prize is lost and we are heading towards the dangers that call us in the night! So, on Halloween...I hope you are not tricked....!! However, careful of the treats that promise things they lack the power to give? Grab for the real prize...the one set forward for you in Christ Jesus our Lord and then run for it without ever looking back. By the way, running with a mask on isn't safe! Take off all that hinders and just run!