Happy Wednesday! Have you ever seen a magic show or someone try to do a magic trick? There will be times when you ask “how did they do that trick? or how did they make something disappear?” Other times you will see how they performed the trick. In order for a magician to become proficient in tricking the crowd or you, they must practice. However, in order for you to recognize the trick or find the evidence of the trick you also must closely watch for the magician’s tricks. Today, we will continue to read in 2 Peter where we will read about chronic deceivers. Enjoy today’s reading and your day.

“¹² These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. ¹³ Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception^[e] even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. ¹⁴ They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. ¹⁵ They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor,^[f] who loved to earn money by doing wrong.¹⁶ But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.” – 2 Peter 2:12-16 NLT

The author of 2 Peter continues to explain the depth of immoral behavior that the false prophets were leading people into. He mentioned their chronic sin and how through their sin they had become experts in greed and in enticing new believers in the faith (those without firm footing) to sin. Yet, the false prophets evil desires/sins were never satisfied.

Sisters and brothers, in this world we are constantly bombarded with the same type of people and situations. It is easy to go along with the world and be lead astray by false prophets when we are not grounded in our own faith and by our own personal convictions, yet the author remains us not to wonder off the right road.

Maybe today, you find yourself struggling between right and wrong, temptation and truth, greed and poverty, or sexuality (outside of marriage) and abstinence. I don’t know what you are struggling with or who is pressuring you to pursue a life contrary to the word of God, but I want to encourage you to stand firm in your faith. Remain focused and connected to the Lord. James says it best in James 4:5-10 NLT,

“⁵ Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.^[b]6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”^[c]

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.⁹ Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.“

• Are you ready to come closer to God? _______
• What do you need the Lord to help you flee from today?________

Father God, thank you for your word today. Thank you for your mercy on our lives. Thank you for the forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus. Lord, today we come humbly before you asking for forgiveness of our sins. Lord, we ask you to remove the enemy from our midst and to strengthen us in our personal walk with you. Lord, cause the enemy to flee from us. Lord, surpress or remove our desires (e.g., greed, dishonesty, etc.) that are not in alignment with your word. Lord, protect us from chronic deceivers. Lord, we ask that you remove anything that is not of you from within us – purify us. Lord, may those changes within us be evident in our relationship with others, in our attitudes, our behaviors and our daily lives. Lord, we want transformation in our lives, begin with us today. We trust you and give our lives and plans to you today. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep pursuing the Lord!

Our next event is: Saturday, July 27, 2019. There are only 10 spots/tickets left.

We will have guest speakers and singers. Lunch is included. Space is limited. The deadline to purchase your ticket is Sunday, July 7, 2019. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Buy your ticket online at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-long-beach-womens-retreat-rise-up-daughters-tickets-59622249754

Event location: Reef Restaurant, 800 Harbor Scenic Dr, Long Beach, Ca

Event time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to:

prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

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