Hebrews 12:2a – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (NIV)

A number of years ago, my sister and her friends invited me to come along and play some golf. We purchased a basket of golf balls to share. We each took turns. When my turn came, I took one of the golf balls, and with my golf club in my hand, I positioned myself between two other players, one on each side of me. I set the ball on the tee. I took the golf club and lined it up with the ball. Then I swung at it. I was so excited to see the ball flying through the air. I turned towards my sister and friends and said, "Look!" and pointed to the ball. My sister and her friends were doubled over laughing. As I looked down, I saw my ball still sitting on the tee. It was the person next to me whose ball had been flying in the air. I should have fixed my eyes on the ball when I was swinging at it.

I deceived myself into thinking that the ball in the air was mine, but there are far more dangerous deceptions of which we must be careful. It is so easy to be deceived in our daily lives. Deception is all around us. We must keep alert so we do not get into trouble. We can do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, and studying and listening to God's words in the Bible, which teaches us the real truth.

Mark 13:5-6 – Jesus said to them, "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many." (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, as You taught Your disciples, help us to continue praying, reading, and studying the words of the Bible, learning the truth, being alert, and watching carefully, so that we will not be deceived either now or in the last days. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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