COMING OUT OF DECEIT

It seems as though lately people have become more deceiving in their mannerisms. The way that they talk, strategize, and behave. Their motives, actions, and values are gain, wealth, and power. It is hard to find authentic, realistic, genuinely truthful characters that you can put trust in. The generations moving up into place have developed the art or spirit of manipulation as you will. Development that they want what they want and when they want it. There is no striving for the prize, a lack of urgency, tenaciousness, and basic hard work and loyalty to the outcome.

" But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. 6 For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, 7 always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." -2 Timothy 3: 1-7

In my everyday life, and I am sure in yours, there are people who speak and even have pride in the behavior that they exhibit. On the weekend, it is how many lovers they have had, how many drinks they can handle, how many people they kept it 100 with, and what they did to gain what they wanted or needed. How they deceived others to gain reputation, standing, attain status, and how much money they earn by what they do. Scandals upon scandals. I know I was like this, as immature as I was, I also said things and did things that made me feel better about my myself. Made me feel worthy of others' approval and made me feel like I belonged. When in reality I was being pushed deeper into the filth and dirt. In other words, I was overcome by shame and guilt. I was betraying my true self.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put off childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

My whole life I was told I was unwanted, that I was worthless. I was used, abandoned, abused, manipulated, mistreated, walked on, spit on, isolated, and ultimately humiliated. Words of my passed kept me buried for 20 years of my life. Confined me, boxed me up, and labeled. Until God. God pluck me from my tent and place me outside my comfort zone. I was producing the very thing that was being placed inside my heart. Lies! I knew deep down that I was not born to be scum but I was born to do something great. That there was more for me than a small, rundown, cyclic, middle-of-nowhere, drama-filled, dried-up dessert.

When we choose, in our own ignorance lies, versus truth, we not only harm others but ourselves too. We allow the mess that God never intended for us. When you are tired of doing the same thing, tired of the same mess, tired of defeat, tired of the pressure. All you need to do is call on him. Confess to him all things, and he will recue you. When he pulls you out, it will seem as though you are alone. But it is how you respond to the loneliness that gets you back on track in His will. How do we stabilize ourselves in times of loneliness, change, negativity, drama, etc.? There are things we need to do to lead us in truth and not lies.

1. Humble yourself. Be still and know that God's will is over your will, turn from your wicked ways, and seek him. lay it all down. Ask for forgiveness.

2. Trust in God. Trust in his love for you, and trust in His everlasting word. He has all the answers. He knows what you need, and he will provide it for you. He wants you to lean on him fully.

3. Be thankful. Thankful for what did and did not happen to you. Thankful for what he pulled you through and what he allowed to pass you by. Thankful for showing you the way.

4. Be grateful. Grateful for what you still have, and what you have not received yet. Grateful that he still knows you and is keeping you alive. As long as you are alive you still have a purpose.

5. Proclaim his hand on your life. Share with others what God has done for you. Share your story with others because of his works in you.

Matthew 6: 19-21 says that we are not to store up or be focused on the treasures of this world. The things the world says we need to be noticed or be someone, or to live by. These things die, become riddled with destruction, can be stolen, and pass away. But store up treasures in heaven where no one can steal, kill, or destroy. Wherever your treasure is there your heart will be also. If you are more concerned with the things the world says to be concerned with your heart will become sick. If you focus on matters of humanity then your pursuit of purpose will begin leading you into ultimate life, and prosperity. As long as you believe that God sent his son to die for you, and that his blood shed for you cleansed you and that God raised him from the dead and you confess it with your mouth and believe in your heart; you will be saved.

Lay it at his feet, cry out to him, believe in his redemption, and watch him show off in your life.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

GOD BLESS YOU, AND BE HEALED!

XO EM