THE WEB OF DECEPTION

Deceptive thoughts that trick the mind

Like flies caught in a spider’s web

Try hard to shake its silken grip

And soon its venom leaves you dead!

How troublesome this rude disguise

Intriguing lures that bate it's prey

The Serpent robs all hope of joy

And leaves the heart too weak to pray.

Yet in this net of hopelessness

While groping for the Light

The One Who calmed the raging storm

Stands with the warrior in the fight!

God is the Way through blinding storms

His Truth will set the captive free

Stand in the power of Jesus Name

And claim by faith the Victory!

Ben Pent

THE WEB OF DECEPTION

Deceptive thoughts that trick the mind

Like flies caught in a spider’s web

Try hard to shake its silken grip

Before its venom strikes it dead.

How subtle is this rude disguise

Intriguing lures that bate their prey

While scintillating to the eye

Dark shades of night eclipse the day.

Yet that is how a habit forms

In innocence we take the bate

By first enduring then embrace

A slave to what we later hate.

In this imprisoned wilderness

Like blowing winds that blind the eye

The only path through desert storm

Is taking flight above the sky.

The Pilot comes to rescue all

Who in repentance take His hand

For freedom is the promise made

Who in Christ's victory take their stand.

--B. Pent

THE PHANTOM OF VALENTINE

I saw you walk away one day
It seemed so subtle at the start
But I could see that in your eyes
A phantom-dream tugged at your heart.

While spring was young and innocent
We danced together in the rain
Time had so little meaning then
Did not that phantom call in vain?

But love built castles in the sand
No wave could wipe its memory clean
Except that through the setting sun
The phantom's shadow could be seen.

The winter's breeze began to blow
Its blazing embers once so bright
Refused the warmth of its embrace
And chose the phantom's foolish flight.

But dreams are never true to life
And phantoms only follow dreams
So lets wake up to life's new day
And drink from Love's eternal springs.
--B. Pent

DECEPTIVE THOUGHTS

Deceptive thoughts that trick the mind
Like flies caught in a spider's web
Try hard to shake its silken grip
Before its venom finds its mark.

How troublesome this rude disguise
Intriguing lures that bate its prey
While offering music that delights
In tones discordant to the heart.

Yet in this net of hopelessness
Like blowing winds that blind the eye
The only path through desert storms
Is standing firm against the night.

When naked truth reveals its worth
Life's phantom thoughts will take their flight
And like a dance in springtime rains
The heart will rise to sing again.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 7:15-23

In his book "Against The Night" Chuck Colson warns of a cheap replica of true Christianity:
"much of the church is caught up on the success mania of American society. Often more concerned with budgets and building programs than with the Body of Christ. The Church places more emphasis on growth than on repentance. Repentance is a rare message in today's Church because it requires confrontation with an uncomfortable subject--sin. And sin does not sell well in our feel-good culture. When sin gets personal, people get skittish. Only the conviction of personal sin, however, brings us to Christ."

Jesus warns against those who profess a faith but do not possess true faith. They can talk it but don't live it. They may call Him "Lord, Lord," claim to prophesy, cast out demons and even perform miracle (v.22) but the proof of authentic Christianity is "fruit." Twice Jesus states, "by their fruit you will recognize them" (vs.16,20). Paul describes the kind of fruit Jesus was talking about in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." If the "fruit" is not evident they are termed false prophets "that come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (v.15). That is what the Pharisees were doing in that day. Their "fruit" was hard, plastic, legalistic and superficial! We are often warned in the New Testament of false Christ's (Matt.24:24); false witnesses (Matthew 26:60); false apostles (2 Cor.11:13); false brothers (2 Cor. 11:36); and false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1) .

When we truly produce "the fruit of the Spirit," we are assured of doing " the will of my father" (v.21). Genuine faith is active and productive. It is real, genuine and authentic! It affects our character and our conduct. Growing in faith takes time and discipline. It refuses to "walk in the counsel of the wicked; stand in the way of sinners; or sit in the seat of mockers, but delights in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night" (Ps.1:1-2). That kind of discipline results in "fruit." "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season" (Ps.1:3) That's the kind of "fruit" authentic Christianity produces. It comes through reading His Word and prayer, through Bible study, denying self, and daily surrendering to His will. But the results are worth it in the light of eternity!