Good morning! Have you ever been to Bass Proshops or Big 5 Sporting Goods? If so, you probably saw their fishing section. I’m certain the store had every lure or bait you could imagine to catch a fish. While fish are smart enough to stay away from hooks, if they get desperate enough for food that looks good they will take the bait. Today in 2 Peter the author is warning us of false teachers and their lures to pull us in. Enjoy today’s reading as we finish chapter 2. Have a wonderful day.

BIBLE VERSE  – 2 Peter 2:17-22 NLT
“¹⁷ These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. ¹⁸ They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. ¹⁹ They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. ²⁰ And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. ²¹ It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. ²² They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.””

REFLECTION
Here in 2 Peter the author is finishing up his warning to the readers or hearers of the letter. There are several key points in these verses that bear repeating.

Characteristics the false teachers/deceivers are known for include, but are not limited to:

• They brag about themselves with empty (futile, worthless, without results), foolish boasting (swollen) words.
• They lure (bait) others back into sin.
• They promise freedom/free living, but are trapped (enslaved) by sin and corruption themselves.

As believers we need to be mindful,

• Not to be lured back into a sinful lifestyle.
• That when we escaped sin and began to focus on our new life/life by knowing our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, deceivers will not be happy until we are entrapped (enslaved) into sin again.
• To turn away from sin and maintain a lifestyle of true freedom because the author warns us, it is much worse or difficult to get out from underneath sinful destruction once we return.

As I was reading/studying these verses this morning, one commentary read, “The techniques of false teachers are only workable with the naive, for the heretics are like a 300-pound man selling diet books – they promise freedom but are themselves hopelessly enslaved by depravity. ” However, while the above is true, we also know deceivers come in many forms and with various schemes to lure us back into the world/sin.

Sisters and brothers, verse 19 reads, “you are a slave to whatever controls you.”

My question for you today is:

• What or who is controlling you? __________

• Will you allow the Lord to take control? _________

PRAYER
Father God,  in the name of Jesus we come to you in prayer, seeking your face and your heart. Lord, we need you today. Lord, lead us in a way that encourages us to follow after you with our whole heart. Lord, direct our steps and align our will with yours. Lord, help us to stand firm in our faith and live a lifestyle that pleases you. Lord, when the enemy prowls around for opportunities to deceive and destroy us, Lord help us to recognize the scheme and quickly turn away from it. Lord, in times of temptation or feeling like an outcast, remind us to stand. Lord, remind us to call on your name so that the enemy will flee. Lord, equip us and continue to mature us in the faith. Lord we lift up our sisters and  brothers today who are struggling in life, with their faith, with emotional and physical issues, and we ask that you pour out Your Spirit on them. Give them the extra strength and peace that they need to pursue their life in you. Lord, continue to protect us and keep us safe. In Jesus name amen.

———
SAVE THE DATE

Next Virtual Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Our theme for the event is: Choose Joy.

Please email us if you are interested in volunteering for this virtual retreat.

SUMMER NEWSLETTER

Click to access mary-e.-white-ministries-summer-2021.pdf

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Sisters, we are looking for volunteers for our upcoming events and also to fill a Board position that will be available soon.

Join us for our next:

• virtual volunteer meeting is Saturday, September 11 @ 9am (PST).
• virtual board meeting is Friday, September 10 @ 6pm (PST).

If you would like to join us or get more information, please send an email to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2021 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.