Thank you, Meg!
The larger picture of the window is lovely, too..I was torn on which one to post...I had another opening done for today and changed my mind when I found this.
The year 2007 was labeled the Year of Living Deceptively for South Korea, because of the countrys numerous scandals involving fake academics and corrupt politicians. A survey of 340 professors selected the Chinese phrase ja-gi-gi-in (deceiving yourself and others) to sum up the year.
It should not surprise us to hear of deception like that. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. To deceive is to make others believe falsehood as truth and accept wrong as right.
Our defense against deception is to know Gods Word, for all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (v.16). Correction is to set right what is wrong, and instruction is to make known what is right. Gods Word not only makes us aware of wrongs, it also prompts and teaches us to do what is right.
Is your New Years resolution to walk rightly before God and others and to be thoroughly equipped for every good work? (v.17). Then read and apply Gods Word, asking the Lord to make you a person of integrity