"Counterfeit Or The Original"

Since the beginning of time there has always been people who make counterfeit’s of the original. The original always costs more money where the counterfeit can be bought at a fraction of the price. But the counterfeit usually has a big drawback. It isn’t made as well, doesn’t last as long and sometimes doesn’t work at all. On msn.com this morning there is an Apple Store in China as in the computer not the fruit? that was posing as a real Apple Store.

“They looked like Apple products. It looked like an Apple store. It had the classic Apple store winding staircase and weird upstairs sitting area. The employees were even wearing those blue t-shirts with the chunky Apple name tags around their necks,” But upon closer inspection, our intrepid fellow American realized, “A beautiful rip-off — a brilliant one — the best rip-off store we had ever seen (and we see them every day). But some things were just not right: the stairs were poorly made. The walls hadn’t been painted properly. Apple never writes “Apple Store” on its signs. But here’s the real kicker: Some of the staff appeared to believe they were really working for Apple. msn.com By Adrienne Mong

The original always cost more. And may be tough to acquire.

John 10:3-5 “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Today many imposters will try to take your heart from God. The only way to know Gods voice is to know God. Now that may sound simple but it is not that easy. If we are not in daily fellowship with Jesus we may be assured of eternal salvation but that doesn’t mean we are free from harm. God gives us His word from the Bible, prayer through the Holy Spirit and Godly counsel to keep us from buying into the imposter. Satan (the Prince of this world) is the ultimate imposter. He may have you gravitate to the imposter of riches. Are riches more important to you than Jesus? Are riches and a secure job more important to you than the security Jesus has to offer? How do you know you are following the original today? You can only know if you are following the original and not the counterfeit if you are an expert.

I have many times in prayer heard the voice of the devil instead of the voice of Jesus. I have had swearing words come into my mind and thoughts that are not from the Lord. So if I think that when I pray that everything told to me is true then I better be careful. Satan can pose as the ultimate imposter and ruin the original. If you do not know the voice of the shepherd you are in deep trouble. How do you know what to do?

By spending time with God in prayer, reading His word and having fellowship with other believers you will be able to know the voice of Jesus. Then when the imposter comes calling you will know. If you think today is not evil think again. Satan will try to do whatever he can not just to hurt you but to destroy you. Are you ready to stand firm and do you even know where your enemy is coming from? Don’t be ignorant anymore of the schemes of the devil, the ultimate imposter and counterfeiter of the faith.

“Lord at times I have left you to follow the world. At times I feel far from you. Please Lord help to heal my heart. Help my hearts desire to be for you and you alone. Help me to know your voice Jesus and protect me from the schemes of the devil. Help me to have the discipline and the love to follow you more than anything. Thank you Jesus for always hearing my prayers and for loving me.”

The day is here, let us not let our guard down but be vigilant. There is a war in the spiritual realm for souls. Let us fight the good fight and not follow the imposter.

Have a great day and be careful in all you do.

Brad