“THAT CONTAINER IS LYING ABOUT ITS CONTENTS”

Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you LOOKING LIKE SHEEP on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE they are really like wild WOLVES.” (GNT)

My two favorite seasons are Winter and Fall! Winter, because I love Christmas, snow, carols, decorations and the like. And Fall, because I love the colors, Thanksgiving, the start of the scent of fireplaces, but most of all, Pumpkin Pie! LOL! It’s the truth! One of life’s great treats is pumpkin pie! Me and my girlfriend Monica were absolute pumpkin pie junkies growing up. However, we didn’t eat them quite the same. I loved mine simply hot (nothing added at all!) But Monica, she was crazy about Cool Whip! And that’s just how she ate her pumpkin pie, loaded with Cool Whip! And that’s exactly what she was after when she went into the refrigerator at my house. You see, one of the things my mom used to always cook as a dessert for Thanksgiving was pumpkin pie. And although no one in the house ate Cool Whip, mom would always keep some for Monica, because she was guaranteed to be a guest (invited or not!) So, Monica arrived, ate dinner, and immediately went for a large piece of pumpkin pie, and all it was missing was that little white topping of Cool Whip. She fumbled all around in the fridge until she saw that familiar plastic container with a picture of exactly what she wanted her pumpkin pie to look like. Somewhat mindlessly however, she opened that container, stuck her spoon in there, and then pulled out the contents. She was just about to decorate her pie with it when she looked at what was on her spoon! It wasn’t Cool Whip (even though the container clearly said ‘Cool Whip’)! It was in fact left over gravy, which doesn’t do much for pumpkin pie!

The container promised her one thing on the OUTSIDE, but what was INSIDE was something altogether different!

That’s an experience every one of us has had when we reached for something, based on what it was SUPPOSED to give us, only to be disappointed when we found out what was REALLY inside. That deception is, in fact, the very nature of sin! And that’s why we end up with scars and messes we never knew we were going to be a part of. That Cool Whip container lied about its content! It was deceptive, it was a counterfeit!

The word ‘deceptive’, is defined as: “giving an impression different from the true one; to deliberately mislead into believing something false.” Its Old French Origin “deceivre”, from Latin “decipere” means “to ensnare, to cheat.”

The word “counterfeit”, is defined as: “to make in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud; a forgery.” Its Old French Origin “contrefait” means “made in opposition.”

And that’s exactly what sin does. Sin deceives us, it gives us an impression different from its true one; it deliberately misleads us into believing something false; it ensnares and cheats us; it imitates something valuable or worthwhile, when its true intention was to deceive and defraud us; it’s a forgery to its appearance; it is opposition to what is real and true.

It’s much like the commercials you see about smoking and drinking. Everyone in the ads APPEAR to be having such a great time. They’re happy, smiling, laughing, partying, dancing, and living life to the fullest with utter, and complete joy…or so it SEEMS. Because if you watch the other commercials about smoking and drinking, you see the contents of the faulty looking container. The drinking commercials show cars flipped upside down, a child’s bicycle laying in blood on the ground where they were run over, you see the pain and anguish of loved ones looking at the remains of a car that their loved one was in but had to be cut out of. The smoking commercials, show you the black lungs, the respirators, the person with a hole in their throat, the person who suffered a heart attack at 38, the person who says, ‘I can only go as far as my oxygen tank lets me.’ Amazingly, both commercials have the same focus (smoking and drinking), however, one shows the container, but the other shows the real content! And so it is with sin!

Like the drinking and smoking commercials, sin only shows you the container, never the content…that you often don’t see revealed, until it’s far too late. James 1:13-15, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” (MSG)

Sin is much like smoking and drinking. There’s a conception (pregnancy), then a baby, then the baby grows to adulthood, and then there’s death. Sin, smoking and drinking are all the very same. They take their time. They’re in no hurry at all to kill you right away. But when the full effects finally grow to maturity, they take you out prematurely!

However, Scripture warns us of 2 things: One, we are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices and two, in the midst of any temptation, there is always a way out! Read your Bible saints:

2 Corinthians 2:11, “This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” (CEB);

1 Corinthians 10:13, “NO temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

But back to James 1:13-15, “…THE TEMPTATION TO GIVE IN TO EVIL COMES FROM US AND ONLY US. WE HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THE LEERING, SEDUCING FLARE-UP OF OUR OWN LUST…” In other words, we have no one to blame, we have no justification, we can make no excuses, we can point no fingers. Giving In To Temptation Is a Conscious, Deliberate Decision WE Make On OUR OWN! We can’t say we knew no better, because 2 Corinthians 2:11 lets us know that, “…WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” And 1 Corinthians 10:13, informs us that, “…NO TEMPTATION [REGARDLESS OF ITS SOURCE] HAS OVERTAKEN OR ENTICED YOU THAT IS NOT COMMON TO HUMAN EXPERIENCE [NOR IS ANY TEMPTATION UNUSUAL OR BEYOND HUMAN RESISTANCE]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR ABILITY [TO RESIST], but along with the temptation HE [has in the past and is now and] will [ALWAYS] PROVIDE THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

Today, is a good day to pray this short, yet effective prayer: “Lord in the midst of every temptation, grant me the discernment to see Your way of escape and the wisdom to take it!”

Don’t let Sin seduce you with its appearance of good! Don’t be fooled by the container, and be killed by the content!

Neither Satan or Sin are in any hurry to trap you! Like the effects of smoking and drinking, it damages and destroys your life slowly and often silently.

Pay attention to this Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (AMP) That word “prowl” is defined as “to move about stealthily or restlessly as if in search of prey.” “Stealthily” is defined as “cautious and surreptitious action or movement; designed to make detection by radar”. “Surreptitious” is defined as “done secretly or furtively” And “furtively” is defined as “characterized by evasive secrecy” Its Latin Origin “furtivus”, from “furtum” means “theft.” And that’s just like Satan and Sin, they move about stealthily, very cautious, surreptitiously in action and movement detecting by radar their prey to devour. And it’s not done in a big way either, nor is it done quickly. But the enemy prowls, he takes his time, he roams the territory until it’s a vulnerable, opportune time to attack and annihilate! Don’t let it happen to you! Satan and Sin move furtively, very secretively like a thief. And most thieves who simply want to steal (anything, regardless of its value) don’t have a plan. They just see something and take it. But when real thieves go after something (of Value), they have a plan. They map it out. They take their time. They come up with back-up plans, a plan b-z, in case plan a doesn’t make it! They scope out an area or person. They pick all the right people to help them accomplish their goal. And Satan and Sin are no different. They aren’t looking to snatch you overnight. Because of your Value, they’re scheming and planning, and picking out just the right people to use against you. Like a lion, he’s roaming, waiting, watching, plotting and planning his ultimate theft of your life and soul! And it’s all because you are of such Value!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “…you are not your own [property]…YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [YOU WERE ACTUALLY PURCHASED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AND MADE HIS OWN]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” (AMP)

You, my friend, are so valuable that it took the Blood and Life of the Son of God just to purchase you! And you thought you had no value?! Why do you think the devil is prowling around your life?! He knows who you are, what you’ll become and who you belong to! He knows your worth and your value (even when you under-estimate it yourself)! And most important, he knows you are the PROPERTY OF GOD! You see, some thieves will steal a $100 bracelet from Macy’s, and then there are those thieves that take their precious time to steal a Diamond that’s rare and valuable, because the work is worth what they’ll attain! Can you imagine the sheer joy Satan would have if he can steal YOU from the Kingdom of God that was purchased with the Life and Blood of the Son of God? Someone who was purchased with the Blood and Life of Jesus?! Again, I say, don’t be fooled by the container, the contents will kill you…and it will take its time doing so!

Truth is, you may be looking at a temptation right now, or maybe you’re even giving into it right now; a temptation that looks promising on the outside. But God is sending you a warning right now to let you know the heartache and the hurt that’s on the inside. You see, sin conceals its ugliness and it conceals its destruction until you’ve already talked with the serpent, bitten the fruit and been banished from the garden!

The temptation that looks good to you right now may say “pleasure” on the container – do this because it will feel good. Or maybe the package says “love” – do this and you’ll get some love. The promise may be “relief” – a chance to escape from some hurt, or maybe it says “significance” – do this and you’ll get ahead, you’ll feel important.

But see, God believes in “truth-in-packaging.” He clearly reveals what sin really offers in James 1:15, “After desire has conceived” (that’s the part where the container really looks inviting) “it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” That, of course, is not on the container!

Which makes me think of the Federal Trade Commission. It states on its website: “Truth In Advertising – When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these truth-in-advertising laws, and it applies the same standards no matter where an ad appears – in newspapers and magazines, online, in the mail, or on billboards or buses. The FTC looks especially closely at advertising claims that can affect consumers’ health or their pocketbooks – claims about food, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, alcohol, and tobacco and on conduct related to high-tech products and the Internet. The FTC also monitors and writes reports about ad industry practices regarding the marketing of alcohol and tobacco. When the FTC finds a case of fraud perpetrated on consumers, the agency files actions in federal district court for immediate and permanent orders to stop scams; prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freeze their assets; and get compensation for victims.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if that were the case with Satan and Sin? Where there had to be truth-in-advertising, or they would have to pay us for victimizing us through false and misleading claims? But people of God, that is not the case! Satan and Sin can look as inviting and appealing as a Cool Whip container, while you’re holding a nice, large, hot slice of pumpkin pie…HOWEVER, the contents in the container are not suitable for you! And there is no penalty to be paid because the Bible teaches us, we are well aware, and able to resist! So, before you puff your next cigarette, sip your next drink, say that lie, share that rumor/gossip, meet at that hotel, return that email, voicemail, text or compliment, know that you will pay a heavy price for devaluing the property of God!

First, sin fascinates you, then sin assassinates you! It kills your self-respect, it kills people’s trust in you, it kills your close relationships, it kills your freedom, it kills your closeness to God, it kills your reputation, it kills your character, it kills your integrity, it kills present and future opportunities, it kills marriages and families, it kills neighborhoods, communities, even businesses, ministries and churches, and before long, it will kill you! Short Benefit – Long Consequences! A sinful way to get something you need or want is never worth it and ultimately never delivers.

It’s a prison on the inside, that looks like a penthouse on the outside! You don’t know that you’re hooked until the cell door slams behind you! The thrill of sin lasts a short time; the bill for sin lasts a long time! There’s a little good stuff and a whole lot of guilt; a rush that’s brief and wreckage that can last a lifetime.

Don’t fall for the lies on sin’s package! Check its real contents, as exposed graphically in the Bible! Or in the words of my nutritionist, “READ THE CONTENTS!” In fact, she said something interesting to me recently. I told her I’ve been good and only eating whole wheat bread. And she said, “but is it 100%?” I was confused of course. I thought she would be happy that I was eating whole wheat bread. But she said, “the contents, the ingredients, make the difference between something bad and good, and between something good and great.” For example, I now buy tuna fish in the can (but in water, not oil); I buy my fruit cups (but in their own natural juice, not syrup). You see, tuna fish and fruit cups are good for you, but their contents, ingredients, make the difference between good and great! So, the next time a temptation avails itself, before you rush in based on “appearance sake” only, read the contents, read the ingredients!

2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV) Here’s a few more translations:

“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.” (AMP);

“They will LOOK LIKE they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” (CEB);

“They will go on PRETENDING to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!” (ERV);

“having the APPEARANCE of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV);

“and will ACT as if they serve God but will not have his power. Stay away from those people.” (NCV);

“They will do things to make it LOOK AS IF they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.” (NLV)

Sounds a lot like false-advertising to me! Much like Satan and Sin, they only have a, “form, look like, pretend, appear, act and look as if”. The container is misleadingly safe, the contents however are dangerous and deadly! Don’t be fooled by what’s on the outside, use wisdom and search the inside!

Now, if you’ve already opened sin’s package, just get out while you can! If you’re looking at a compromise that God calls sin, run the other way, while you still can! You haven’t got time for the pain, for the scars, for the slavery, for the shame. Do it God’s way, even if it’s harder, even if it takes longer. Remember, it’s the narrow road that leads to life. It’s the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

No More Falling For Satan and Sins Container Appearance! Now That You KNOW What the Contents Are And Their Capability to Kill You, Keep Your Spoon Out of There! It’s Gravy, NOT Cool Whip!

Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees, focusing on the CLEAN OUTER APPEARANCE…when INWARDLY, IT’S A FILTHY MESS! (Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the OUTSIDE of the cup and of the plate, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the INSIDE of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your INNER self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the OUTSIDE [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.” (AMP)

Don’t Let the Container Fool You, the Contents Are Not For Your Good! They are a Mere Counterfeit! Use Discernment So That You Be Not Deceived! The Kingdom has such a need of you that it cannot afford for you to compromise and miss God! Therefore, feed your relationship with the Holy Ghost so that He can guard and guide you daily and help you to keep your footing from slipping, stumbling and falling into Satan’s attractive annihilating traps!

Don’t Let the Container Fool You in Regards to it’s Real Content!

2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as COUNTERFEIT?” (AMP);

Galatians 1:7, “which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, COUNTERFEIT teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].” (AMP);

2 Thessalonians 2:9, “The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of COUNTERFEIT miracles] and [DECEPTIVE] signs and FALSE wonders [all of them LIES]” (AMP);

2 Timothy 3:8, “These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is COUNTERFEIT.” (AMP)

“It is not the wolf who looks like a wolf who is most dangerous…it is the wolf who looks like a sheep.” (Author Unknown)

“Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel.” (Author Unknown)

“You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public, and maintain a holy appearance, but it is your behavior that will reveal your true character.” (Steve Maraboli)

“Beware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (Aesop)

“Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing…people should be judged not by their outward demeanor, but by their works, for many in sheep’s clothing do the work of wolves.” (Author Unknown)

“The devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for.” (Author Unknown)

“Sometimes it’s not the people who change, it’s the mask that falls off.” (Author Unknown)

“Satan is not fighting churches; he’s joining them. He does more harm sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.” (Author Unknown)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEducated #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #BeThankful #ShareTheWord

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“Don’t Let FAKE FOOL You!”

Matthew 13:24-25, “Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [RESEMBLING WHEAT] among the wheat…” (AMP)

I guess as a woman it would be considered rather strange that I don’t particularly care for Roses. I don’t consider them ugly, I just don’t possess a particular fondness for them. And to be honest, I really don’t like any one set flower. However, if you really want my heart to sing, give me a mixed bouquet of wildflowers! I absolutely love a bouquet of mixed flowers with all the different shapes, scents, sizes, colors etc…it just captures my heart and instantly makes me smile!

However, I must share this. One of my coworkers had a beautiful bouquet of flowers on her desk. I stopped by to pick up some work, and there I saw these amazing flowers in a vase. Wildflowers! My Wildflowers! I actually noticed a few more times as I hustled down the hall past her door. I really felt like a flower stalker! I just couldn’t help myself. I would walk past her office, even if I had no reason to, just to take a glimpse at her huge bouquet of the wildflowers I so love. But then one day, I actually put on the brakes for a moment and I stuck my head all the way in the office and told her, I have just got to smell the flowers on your desk. I leaned over and inhaled deeply…needless to say…it wasn’t worth the stop. You see, after all of that peeking, visiting, stalking, admiring, smiling and smelling…I exhaled my disappointment. The beautiful, breath-taking wildflower bouquet was a FAKE! It LOOKED so real, too real, so real in fact that I couldn’t tell they were fake until I got close enough to realize they didn’t have the scent real flowers possess.

Which made me think of us, the church, the body of believer’s. Do we carry the REAL Scent of our Savior? 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (AMP)

You know, those flowers can sure fool you. They look so real, but they have NO LIFE. They look so authentic, but they have NO SCENT. Just like so many folks who look like they really belong to Jesus Christ, but there’s no life, no sweet fragrance of Christ.

Jesus warned us about this fatal difference in His story about God’s Kingdom being like a wheat field. Listen: Matthew 13:24-30, “Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [RESEMBLING WHEAT] among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also.  The servants of the owner came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have weeds in it?’ He replied to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’ But he said, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”(AMP)

Just because God hasn’t uprooted the phony weeds now, doesn’t mean He won’t later. In fact, the phony weeds will be first to be gathered, tied and burned. So, don’t by any stretch of the imagination think that you’re getting away with Imitation Christianity. God knows who are His and who are not. He knows who’s real, and who’s fake (no matter how well a performance or appearance they put on).

In another place, Jesus describes people who will come before Him on Judgment Day, talking all the right Christian words and beliefs and activities. But He’ll tell them, “I never knew you.” Now, that’s what you call some frightening words! Here’s the Scripture in full: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’ (AMP) The Message Bible reads like this: “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ (MSG)

I don’t know about you, but that certainly gave me a Selah moment! And that moment took me straight to 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as COUNTERFEIT?” (AMP) The Message Bible reads like this: “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it…” (vss. 5-9 MSG).

The time to realize that you know ABOUT Jesus but you don’t KNOW Him is NOW, not when you’re standing before Him, BECAUSE THEN IT’S TOO LATE! Now, is the time to self-exam and get yourself together! Now, is the time to make sure you’re planted, deeply rooted among the wheat, the real wheat, not them ‘Resembling Wheat!’ If you find yourself amongst the Tares, tear yourself away and get right! Or you’ll find yourself falling in the same category as those whom Christ said, “I Never Knew You!” And pay attention to the text, because it doesn’t say let the Apostle, Bishop, Pastor, Prophet, Elder, Evangelist, Minister, Deacon, Missionary, evaluate you and your lifestyle of faith to make sure it’s genuine. No, this is an inside job! “TEST AND EVALUATE YOURSELVES…” Your faith, and lack thereof, are your responsibility alone! You have no one to blame but yourself if you ‘miss the boat!’ It’s too late in the end-time hour to keep faking, pretending, acting like, and impersonating righteousness! It’s time to simply get Right and get Real!

Remember 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Now, let’s look at this in a few translations shall we:

“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.” (AMP);

“They will LOOK LIKE they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” (CEB);

“Even though they will MAKE A SHOW OF BEING RELIGIOUS, their religion WON’T BE REAL. Don’t have anything to do with such people.” (CEV);

“They will go on PRETENDING to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!” (ERV);

“having the APPEARANCE of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV);

“They will APPEAR to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.” (GWT);

“they will hold to the OUTWARD FORM of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.” (GNT);

“They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that.” (TLB);

“They will do things to make it LOOK as if they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.” (NLV)

Just like those artificial flowers that are so beautiful but so dead, it’s so easy to look like someone who belongs to Jesus but not really know Him. Especially if you’ve been around Jesus most of your life. You know the words. You believe the beliefs. You try to do the right things. You go to the right meetings. You give to the right things. And, quite possibly, everyone around you assumes you belong to Him Except Jesus! And He’s the only one who matters.

Listen: That “examine yourself” verse says to make sure “Christ Jesus is IN YOU.” Not on you, as all the “I’m a Believer” symbols like to imply. You know, we like to carry the bible, talk in church lingo, have 10 titles, 15 robes, 20 crosses, all to look like we’re something we’re not. We’re attending Sunday School, Bible Study, Prayer Meetings, Revivals, Anniversaries, Outreach, and the like and still heading straight to hell as the Non-Believer we are at heart. It’s time we stop “wearing Christ” and actually have Him on the INSIDE. Because truly that is the only thing that will make a REAL difference.

A lot of people simply have Jesus AROUND them, but not IN them because there’s never been a time when they consciously and personally really opened up their life to Him. And I do mean all of it, not just the compartments you feel safe or comfortable in letting Him visit. But I mean letting Him move all the way in. Take your name off the deed to your body, and make it His sole property alone. It’s time to stop having Christ in our HEAD, but not in our HEART. Which means you will miss heaven by eighteen inches. (That’s how far it is from your head to your heart). And God says, “It is with the HEART man BELIEVES and is SAVED” (Romans 10:9). You Need Jesus in Your Heart, Not Just in Your Head, if You are to Ever Have a Real, True, Genuine, Authentic Relationship With Him!

Look at it like this: One night Keith went into a church…not married. The woman he wanted to marry came down the aisle. They stood in front of the minister. They walked out together, but Keith left still not married. Why? Because it was the rehearsal. However, the next night, same woman, same man, same minister, same aisle, but this time Keith walked out married. You see, the first night Keith was just going through the motions. But the second night he committed his life to her. Maybe you’ve been going through all the motions of knowing Jesus. But somewhere, you’ve missed the step of saying, “Jesus, I know what you did on that cross was for me. And you’re my only hope. Beginning right here, beginning right now, I am completely Yours! I turn my entire life into Your capable, nail scarred hands!” You see, that’s when you commit yourself to Him. Not practice, not rehearse, not go through the motions, not resemble, not look like, not pretend. But for real! Which means no more going to church every Sunday, singing the songs, dancing, leaping, running, clapping, shouting, praising, speaking in whatever tongues. In other words, no more show, no more performance, no more acting and acting like. But this time being real with God so you can finally be right with God. Because the truth is, you don’t have any more time to play and waste. As cliché as it may sound, His return is soon. And you don’t want to be unprepared. You want to be rapture ready. With no sorries, no explanations, no reasons, no requests for just a little more time. You want no remorse and no regrets. And the only way to secure that is to be Real, be Right and be Ready!

Matthew 25:1-13, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].  For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.  Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.  But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].  But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’  But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’  But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, AND THOSE WHO WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.  Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’  But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU [WE HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP].’  Therefore, be on the alert [BE PREPARED AND READY], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].” (AMP)

For me, this was yet another Selah moment…

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be Left Behind. I want while I’m here to be planted and well rooted so that I may bear good fruit. And when it’s time to go home, I’m ready because I’m certain of my eternal resting place. So, two things need to take place for us. One, we need to be planted and rooted as Real Trees/Plants/Flowers that grow, develop and produce fruit! Matthew 7:15-20, “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. THESE DISEASED TREES WITH THEIR BAD APPLES ARE GOING TO BE CHOPPED DOWN AND BURNED.” (MSG); Luke 13:7-9, “Then he told them a story: “A man had an apple tree planted in his front yard. He came to it expecting to find apples, but there weren’t any. He said to his gardener, ‘What’s going on here? For three years now I’ve come to this tree expecting apples and not one apple have I found. CHOP IT DOWN! WHY WASTE GOOD GROUND WITH IT ANY LONGER?’ “The gardener said, ‘Let’s give it another year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize, and maybe it will produce next year; IF IT DOESN’T, THEN CHOP IT DOWN.’” (MSG).

WISDOM NUGGET: Don’t take advantage of your grace-period! Get planted, rooted, develop, grow and bear fruit before your barrenness gets you chopped down!

Secondly, don’t put off getting real and right for tomorrow!  James 4:13-17, “And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.” (MSG)

Today, is your best day to get real, get right and get ready! Don’t put off until tomorrow when you may very well end up among the tares, among the foolish virgins or the chopped down barren tree!

Don’t Let Fake Fool You, the Time to Get Real With God is TODAY!

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWord

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“That Container is Lying About Its Content”

Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE they are really like wild wolves.” (GNT)

My two favorite seasons are Winter and Fall! Winter, because I love Christmas, snow, carols, decorations and the like. And Fall, because I love the colors, Thanksgiving, the start of the scent of fireplaces, but most of all, Pumpkin Pie! LOL! It’s the truth! One of life’s great treats is pumpkin pie! Me and my girlfriend Monica were absolute pumpkin pie junkies growing up. However, we didn’t eat them quite the same. I loved mine simply hot (nothing added at all!) But Monica, she was crazy about Cool Whip! And that’s just how she ate her pumpkin pie, loaded with Cool Whip! And that’s exactly what she was after when she went into the refrigerator at my house. You see, one of the things my mom used to always cook as a dessert for Thanksgiving was pumpkin pie. And although no one in the house ate Cool Whip, mom would always keep some for Monica, because she was guaranteed to be a guest (invited or not!) So, Monica arrived, ate dinner, and immediately went for a large piece of pumpkin pie, and all it was missing was that little white topping of Cool Whip. She fumbled all around in the fridge until she saw that familiar plastic container with a picture of exactly what she wanted her pumpkin pie to look like. Somewhat mindlessly however, she opened that container, stuck her spoon in there, and then pulled out the contents. She was just about to decorate her pie with it when she looked at what was on her spoon! It wasn’t Cool Whip (even though the container clearly said ‘Cool Whip’)! It was in fact left over gravy, which doesn’t do much for pumpkin pie!

The container promised her one thing on the outside, but what was inside was something altogether different!

That’s an experience every one of us has had when we reached for something, based on what it was supposed to give us, only to be disappointed when we found out what was really inside. That deception is, in fact, the very nature of sin! And that’s why we end up with scars and messes we never knew we were going to be a part of. That Cool Whip container lied about its content! It was deceptive, it was a counterfeit!

The word ‘deceptive’, is defined as: “giving an impression different from the true one; to deliberately mislead into believing something false.” Its Old French Origin “deceivre”, from Latin “decipere” means “to ensnare, to cheat.”

The word “counterfeit”, is defined as: “to make in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud; a forgery.” Its Old French Origin “contrefait” means “made in opposition.”

And that’s exactly what sin does. Sin deceives us, it gives us an impression different from its true one; it deliberately misleads us into believing something false; it ensnares and cheats us; it imitates something valuable or worthwhile, when its true intention was to deceive and defraud us; it’s a forgery to its appearance; it is opposition to what is real and true.

It’s much like the commercials you see about smoking and drinking. Everyone in the ads appear to be having such a great time. They’re happy, smiling, laughing, partying, dancing, and living life to the fullest with utter, and complete joy…or so it seems. Because if you watch the other commercials about smoking and drinking, you see the contents of the faulty looking container. The drinking commercials show cars flipped upside down, a child’s bicycle laying in blood on the ground where they were run over, you see the pain and anguish of loved ones looking at the remains of a car that their loved one was in, but had to be cut out of. The smoking commercials, show you the black lungs, the respirators, the person with a hole in their throat, the person who suffered a heart attack at 38, the person who says, ‘I can only go as far as my oxygen tank lets me.’ Amazingly, both commercials have the same focus (smoking and drinking), however, one shows the container, but the other shows the real content! And so it is with sin!

Like the drinking and smoking commercials, sin only shows you the container, never the content…that you often don’t see revealed, until it’s far too late. James 1:13-15, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” (MSG)

Sin is much like smoking and drinking. There’s a conception (pregnancy), then a baby, then the baby grows to adulthood, and then there’s death. Sin, smoking and drinking are all the very same. They take their time. They’re in no hurry at all to kill you right away. But when the full effects finally grow to maturity, they take you out prematurely!

However, Scripture warns us of 2 things: One, we are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices and two, in the midst of any temptation, there is always a way out! Read your Bible saints:

2 Corinthians 2:11, “This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” (CEB);

1 Corinthians 10:13, “NO temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

But back to James 1:13-15, “…THE TEMPTATION TO GIVE IN TO EVIL COMES FROM US AND ONLY US. WE HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THE LEERING, SEDUCING FLARE-UP OF OUR OWN LUST…” In other words, we have no one to blame, we have no justification, we can make no excuses, we can point no fingers. Giving In To Temptation Is a Conscious, Deliberate Decision WE Make On OUR OWN! We can’t say we knew no better, because 2 Corinthians 2:11 lets us know that, “…WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” And 1 Corinthians 10:13, informs us that, “…NO TEMPTATION [REGARDLESS OF ITS SOURCE] HAS OVERTAKEN OR ENTICED YOU THAT IS NOT COMMON TO HUMAN EXPERIENCE [NOR IS ANY TEMPTATION UNUSUAL OR BEYOND HUMAN RESISTANCE]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR ABILITY [TO RESIST], but along with the temptation HE [has in the past and is now and] will [ALWAYS] PROVIDE THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

Today, is a good day to pray this short, yet effective prayer: “Lord in the midst of every temptation, grant me the discernment to see Your way of escape and the wisdom to take it!”

Don’t let Sin seduce you with its appearance of good! Don’t be fooled by the container, and be killed by the content!

Neither Satan or Sin are in any hurry to trap you! Like the effects of smoking and drinking, it damages and destroys your life slowly and often silently.

Pay attention to this Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (AMP) That word “prowl” is defined as “to move about stealthily or restlessly as if in search of prey.” “Stealthily” is defined as “cautious and surreptitious action or movement; designed to make detection by radar”. “Surreptitious” is defined as “done secretly or furtively” And “furtively” is defined as “characterized by evasive secrecy” Its Latin Origin “furtivus”, from “furtum” means “theft.” And that’s just like Satan and Sin, they move about stealthily, very cautious, surreptitiously in action and movement detecting by radar their prey to devour. And it’s not done in a big way either, nor is it done quickly. But the enemy prowls, he takes his time, he roams the territory until it’s a vulnerable, opportune time to attack and annihilate! Don’t let it happen to you! Satan and Sin move furtively, very secretively like a thief. And most thieves who simply want to steal (anything, regardless of its value) don’t have a plan. They just see something and take it. But when real thieves go after something (of Value), they have a plan. They map it out. They take their time. They come up with back-up plans, a plan b-z, in case plan a doesn’t make it! They scope out an area or person. They pick all the right people to help them accomplish their goal. And Satan and Sin are no different. They aren’t looking to snatch you overnight. Because of your Value, they’re scheming and planning, and picking out just the right people to use against you. Like a lion, he’s roaming, waiting, watching, plotting and planning his ultimate theft of your life and soul! And it’s all because you are of such Value!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “…you are not your own [property]…YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [YOU WERE ACTUALLY PURCHASED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AND MADE HIS OWN]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” (AMP)

You, my friend, or so valuable that it took the Blood and Life of the Son of God just to purchase you! And you thought you had no value?! Why do you think the devil is prowling around your life?! He knows who you are, what you’ll become and who you belong to! He knows your worth and your value (even when you under-estimate it yourself)! And most important, he knows you are the PROPERTY OF GOD! You see, some thieves will steal a $100 bracelet from Macy’s, and then there are those thieves that take their precious time to steal a Diamond that’s rare and valuable, because the work is worth what they’ll attain! Can you imagine the sheer joy Satan would have if he can steal YOU from the Kingdom of God that was purchased with the Life and Blood of the Son of God? Someone who was purchased with the Blood and Life of Jesus?! Again, I say, don’t be fooled by the container, the contents will kill you…and it will take its time doing so!

Truth is, you may be looking at a temptation right now, or maybe you’re even giving into it right now; a temptation that looks promising on the outside. But God is sending you a warning right now to let you know the heartache and the hurt that’s on the inside. You see, sin conceals its ugliness and it conceals its destruction until you’ve already talked with the serpent, bitten the fruit and been banished from the garden!

The temptation that looks good to you right now may say “pleasure” on the container – do this because it will feel good. Or maybe the package says “love” – do this and you’ll get some love. The promise may be “relief” – a chance to escape from some hurt, or maybe it says “significance” – do this and you’ll get ahead, you’ll feel important.

But see, God believes in “truth-in-packaging.” He clearly reveals what sin really offers in James 1:15, “After desire has conceived” (that’s the part where the container really looks inviting) “it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” That, of course, is not on the container!

Which makes me think of the Federal Trade Commission. It states on its website: “Truth In Advertising – When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these truth-in-advertising laws, and it applies the same standards no matter where an ad appears – in newspapers and magazines, online, in the mail, or on billboards or buses. The FTC looks especially closely at advertising claims that can affect consumers’ health or their pocketbooks – claims about food, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, alcohol, and tobacco and on conduct related to high-tech products and the Internet. The FTC also monitors and writes reports about ad industry practices regarding the marketing of alcohol and tobacco. When the FTC finds a case of fraud perpetrated on consumers, the agency files actions in federal district court for immediate and permanent orders to stop scams; prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freeze their assets; and get compensation for victims.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if that were the case with Satan and Sin? Where there had to be truth-in-advertising, or they would have to pay us for victimizing us through false and misleading claims? But people of God, that is not the case! Satan and Sin can look as inviting and appealing as a Cool Whip container, while you’re holding a nice, large, hot slice of pumpkin pie…HOWEVER, the contents in the container are not suitable for you! And there is no penalty to be paid because the Bible teaches us, we are well aware, and able to resist! So, before you puff your next cigarette, sip your next drink, say that lie, share that rumor/gossip, meet at that hotel, return that email, voicemail, text or compliment, know that you will pay a heavy price for devaluing the property of God!

First, sin fascinates you, then sin assassinates you! It kills your self-respect, it kills people’s trust in you, it kills your close relationships, it kills your freedom, it kills your closeness to God, it kills your reputation, it kills your character, it kills your integrity, it kills present and future opportunities, it kills marriages and families, it kills neighborhoods, communities, even businesses, ministries and churches, and before long, it will kill you! Short Benefit – Long Consequences! A sinful way to get something you need or want is never worth it and ultimately never delivers.

It’s a prison on the inside, that looks like a penthouse on the outside! You don’t know that you’re hooked until the cell door slams behind you! The thrill of sin lasts a short time; the bill for sin lasts a long time! There’s a little good stuff and a whole lot of guilt; a rush that’s brief and wreckage that can last a lifetime.

Don’t fall for the lies on sin’s package! Check its real contents, as exposed graphically in the Bible! Or in the words of my nutritionist, “READ THE CONTENTS!” In fact, she said something interesting to me recently. I told her I’ve been good and only eating whole wheat bread. And she said, “but is it 100%?” I was confused of course. I thought she would be happy that I was eating whole wheat bread. But she said, “the contents, the ingredients, make the difference between something bad and good, and between something good and great.” For example, I now buy tuna fish in the can (but in water, not oil); I buy my fruit cups (but in their own natural juice, not syrup). You see, tuna fish and fruit cups are good for you, but their contents, ingredients, make the difference between good and great! So, the next time a temptation avails itself, before you rush in based on “appearance sake” only, read the contents, read the ingredients!

2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV) Here’s a few more translations:

“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.” (AMP);

“They will LOOK LIKE they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” (CEB);

“They will go on PRETENDING to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!” (ERV);

“having the APPEARANCE of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV);

“and will ACT as if they serve God but will not have his power. Stay away from those people.” (NCV);

“They will do things to make it LOOK AS IF they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.” (NLV)

Sounds a lot like false-advertising to me! Much like Satan and Sin, they only have a, “form, look like, pretend, appear, act and look as if”. The container is misleadingly safe, the contents however are dangerous and deadly! Don’t be fooled by what’s on the outside, use wisdom and search the inside!

Now, if you’ve already opened sin’s package, just get out while you can! If you’re looking at a compromise that God calls sin, run the other way, while you still can! You haven’t got time for the pain, for the scars, for the slavery, for the shame. Do it God’s way, even if it’s harder, even if it takes longer. Remember, it’s the narrow road that leads to life. It’s the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

No More Falling For Satan and Sins Container Appearance! Now That You KNOW What the Contents Are And Their Capability to Kill You, Keep Your Spoon Out of There! It’s Gravy, NOT Cool Whip!

Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees, focusing on the CLEAN OUTER APPEARANCE…when INWARDLY, IT’S A FILTHY MESS! (Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the OUTSIDE of the cup and of the plate, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed).  You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the INSIDE of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your INNER self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the OUTSIDE [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.” (AMP)

Don’t Let the Container Fool You, the Contents Are Not For Your Good! They are a Mere Counterfeit! Use Discernment So That You Be Not Deceived! The Kingdom has such a need of you that it cannot afford for you to compromise and miss God! Therefore, feed your relationship with the Holy Ghost so that He can guard and guide you daily and help you to keep your footing from slipping, stumbling and falling into Satan’s attractive annihilating traps!

Don’t Let the Container Fool You in Regards to it’s Real Content!

2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as COUNTERFEIT?” (AMP);

Galatians 1:7, “which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, COUNTERFEIT teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].” (AMP);

2 Thessalonians 2:9, “The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of COUNTERFEIT miracles] and [DECEPTIVE] signs and FALSE wonders [all of them LIES]” (AMP);

2 Timothy 3:8, “These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is COUNTERFEIT.” (AMP)

“It is not the wolf who looks like a wolf who is most dangerous…it is the wolf who looks like a sheep.” (Author Unknown)

“Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel.” (Author Unknown)

“You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public, and maintain a holy appearance, but it is your behavior that will reveal your true character.” (Steve Maraboli)

“Beware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (Aesop)

“Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing…people should be judged not by their outward demeanor, but by their works, for many in sheep’s clothing do the work of wolves.” (Author Unknown)

“The devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for.” (Author Unknown)

“Sometimes it’s not the people who change, it’s the mask that falls off.” (Author Unknown)

“Satan is not fighting churches; he’s joining them. He does more harm sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.” (Author Unknown)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWord

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“When the Container Lies About Its Content”

Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE they are really like wild wolves.” (GNT)

My two favorite seasons are Winter and Fall! Winter, because I love Christmas, snow, carols, decorations and the like. And Fall, because I love the colors, Thanksgiving, the start of the scent of fireplaces, but most of all, Pumpkin Pie! LOL! It’s the truth! One of life’s great treats is pumpkin pie! Me and my girlfriend Monica were absolute pumpkin pie junkies growing up. However, we didn’t eat them quite the same. I loved mine simply hot (nothing added at all!) But Monica, she was crazy about Cool Whip! And that’s just how she ate her pumpkin pie, loaded with Cool Whip! And that’s exactly what she was after when she went into the refrigerator at my house. You see, one of the things my mom used to always cook as a dessert for Thanksgiving was pumpkin pie. And although no one in the house ate Cool Whip, mom would always keep some for Monica, because she was guaranteed to be a guest (invited or not!) So, Monica arrived, ate dinner, and immediately went for a large piece of pumpkin pie, and all it was missing was that little white topping of Cool Whip. She fumbled all around in the fridge until she saw that familiar plastic container with a picture of exactly what she wanted her pumpkin pie to look like. Somewhat mindlessly however, she opened that container, stuck her spoon in there, and then pulled out the contents. She was just about to decorate her pie with it when she looked at what was on her spoon! It wasn’t Cool Whip (even though the container clearly said ‘Cool Whip’)! It was in fact left over gravy, which doesn’t do much for pumpkin pie!

The container promised her one thing on the outside, but what was inside was something altogether different!

That’s an experience every one of us has had when we reached for something, based on what it was supposed to give us, only to be disappointed when we found out what was really inside. That deception is, in fact, the very nature of sin! And that’s why we end up with scars and messes we never knew we were going to be a part of. That Cool Whip container lied about its content! It was deceptive, it was a counterfeit!

The word ‘deceptive’, is defined as: “giving an impression different from the true one; to deliberately mislead into believing something false.” Its Old French Origin “deceivre”, from Latin “decipere” means “to ensnare, to cheat.”

The word “counterfeit”, is defined as: “to make in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud; a forgery.” Its Old French Origin “contrefait” means “made in opposition.”

And that’s exactly what sin does. Sin deceives us, it gives us an impression different from its true one; it deliberately misleads us into believing something false; it ensnares and cheats us; it imitates something valuable or worthwhile, when its true intention was to deceive and defraud us; it’s a forgery to its appearance; it is opposition to what is real and true.

It’s much like the commercials you see about smoking and drinking. Everyone in the ads appear to be having such a great time. They’re happy, smiling, laughing, partying, dancing, and living life to the fullest with utter, and complete joy…or so it seems. Because if you watch the other commercials about smoking and drinking, you see the contents of the faulty looking container. The drinking commercials show cars flipped upside down, a child’s bicycle laying in blood on the ground where they were run over, you see the pain and anguish of loved ones looking at the remains of a car that their loved one was in, but had to be cut out of. The smoking commercials, show you the black lungs, the respirators, the person with a hole in their throat, the person who suffered a heart attack at 38, the person who says, ‘I can only go as far as my oxygen tank lets me.’ Amazingly, both commercials have the same focus (smoking and drinking), however, one shows the container, but the other shows the real content! And so it is with sin!

Like the drinking and smoking commercials, sin only shows you the container, never the content…that you often don’t see revealed, until it’s far too late. James 1:13-15, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” (MSG)

Sin is much like smoking and drinking. There’s a conception (pregnancy), then a baby, then the baby grows to adulthood, and then there’s death. Sin, smoking and drinking are all the very same. They take their time. They’re in no hurry at all to kill you right away. But when the full effects finally grow to maturity, they take you out prematurely!

However, Scripture warns us of 2 things: One, we are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices and two, in the midst of any temptation, there is always a way out! Read your Bible saints:

2 Corinthians 2:11, “This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” (CEB);

1 Corinthians 10:13, “NO temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

But back to James 1:13-15, “…THE TEMPTATION TO GIVE IN TO EVIL COMES FROM US AND ONLY US. WE HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THE LEERING, SEDUCING FLARE-UP OF OUR OWN LUST…” In other words, we have no one to blame, we have no justification, we can make no excuses, we can point no fingers. Giving In To Temptation Is a Conscious, Deliberate Decision WE Make On OUR OWN! We can’t say we knew no better, because 2 Corinthians 2:11 lets us know that, “…WE ARE WELL AWARE OF HIS SCHEMES.” And 1 Corinthians 10:13, informs us that, “…NO TEMPTATION [REGARDLESS OF ITS SOURCE] HAS OVERTAKEN OR ENTICED YOU THAT IS NOT COMMON TO HUMAN EXPERIENCE [NOR IS ANY TEMPTATION UNUSUAL OR BEYOND HUMAN RESISTANCE]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR ABILITY [TO RESIST], but along with the temptation HE [has in the past and is now and] will [ALWAYS] PROVIDE THE WAY OUT AS WELL, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP)

Today, is a good day to pray this short, yet effective prayer: “Lord in the midst of any temptation, grant me the discernment to see Your way of escape and the wisdom to take it!”

Don’t let Sin seduce you with its appearance of good! Don’t be fooled by the container, and be killed by the content! Neither Satan or Sin are in any hurry to trap you! Like the effects of smoking and drinking, it damages and destroys your life slowly and often silently.

Pay attention to this Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (AMP) That word “prowl” is defined as “to move about stealthily or restlessly as if in search of prey.” “Stealthily” is defined as “cautious and surreptitious action or movement; designed to make detection by radar”. “Surreptitious” is defined as “done secretly or furtively” And “furtively” is defined as “characterized by evasive secrecy” Its Latin Origin “furtivus”, from “furtum” means “theft.” And that’s just like Satan and Sin, they move about stealthily, very cautious, surreptitiously in action and movement detecting by radar their prey to devour. And it’s not done in a big way either, nor is it done quickly. But the enemy prowls, he takes his time, he roams the territory until it’s a vulnerable, opportune time to attack and annihilate! Don’t let it happen to you! Satan and Sin move furtively, very secretively like a thief. And most thieves who simply want to steal (anything, regardless of its value) don’t have a plan. They just see something and take it. But when real thieves go after something (of Value), they have a plan. They map it out. They take their time. They come up with back-up plans, a plan b-z, in case plan a doesn’t make it! They scope out an area or person. They pick all the right people to help them accomplish their goal. And Satan and Sin are no different. They aren’t looking to snatch you overnight. Because of your Value, they’re scheming and planning, and picking out just the right people to use against you. Like a lion, he’s roaming, waiting, watching, plotting and planning his ultimate theft your life and soul! And it’s all because you are of such Value!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “…you are not your own [property]…YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [YOU WERE ACTUALLY PURCHASED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AND MADE HIS OWN]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” (AMP)

You, my friend, or so valuable that it took the Blood and Life of the Son of God just to purchase you! And you thought you had no value?! Why do you think the devil is prowling around your life?! He knows who you are, what you’ll become and who you belong to! He knows your worth and your value (even when you under-estimate it yourself)! And most important, he knows you are the PROPERTY OF GOD! You see, some thieves will steal a $100 bracelet from Macy’s, and then there are those thieves that take their precious time to steal a Diamond that’s rare and valuable, because the work is worth what they attain! Can you imagine the sheer joy Satan would have if he can steal YOU from the Kingdom of God that was purchased with the Life and Blood of the Son of God? Someone who was purchased with the Blood and Life of Jesus?! Again, I say, don’t be fooled by the container, the contents will kill you…and it will take its time doing so!

Truth is, you may be looking at a temptation right now, or maybe you’re even giving into it right now; a temptation that looks promising on the outside. But God is sending you a warning right now to let you know the heartache and the hurt that’s on the inside. You see, sin conceals its ugliness and it conceals its destruction until you’ve already talked with the serpent, bitten the fruit and been banished from the garden!

The temptation that looks good to you right now may say “pleasure” on the container – do this because it will feel good. Or maybe the package says “love” – do this and you’ll get some love. The promise may be “relief” – a chance to escape from some hurt, or maybe it says “significance” – do this and you’ll get ahead, you’ll feel important.

But see, God believes in “truth-in-packaging.” He clearly reveals what sin really offers in James 1:15, “After desire has conceived” (that’s the part where the container really looks inviting) “it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” That, of course, is not on the container!

Which makes me think of the Federal Trade Commission. It states on its website: “Truth In Advertising – When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these truth-in-advertising laws, and it applies the same standards no matter where an ad appears – in newspapers and magazines, online, in the mail, or on billboards or buses. The FTC looks especially closely at advertising claims that can affect consumers’ health or their pocketbooks – claims about food, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, alcohol, and tobacco and on conduct related to high-tech products and the Internet. The FTC also monitors and writes reports about ad industry practices regarding the marketing of alcohol and tobacco. When the FTC finds a case of fraud perpetrated on consumers, the agency files actions in federal district court for immediate and permanent orders to stop scams; prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freeze their assets; and get compensation for victims.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if that were the case with Satan and Sin? Where there had to be truth-in-advertising, or they would have to pay us for victimizing us through false and misleading claims? But people of God, that is not the case! Satan and Sin can look as inviting and appealing as a Cool Whip container, while you’re holding a nice, large, hot slice of pumpkin pie…HOWEVER, the contents in the container are not suitable for you! And there is no penalty to be paid because the Bible teaches us, we are well aware, and able to resist! So, before you puff your next cigarette, sip your next drink, say that lie, share that rumor/gossip, meet at that hotel, return that email, voicemail, text or compliment, know that you will pay a heavy price for devaluing the property of God!

First, sin fascinates you, then sin assassinates you! It kills your self-respect, it kills people’s trust in you, it kills your close relationships, it kills your freedom, it kills your closeness to God, it kills your reputation, it kills your character, it kills your integrity, it kills present and future opportunities, it kills marriages and families, it kills neighborhoods, communities, even businesses, ministries and churches, and before long, it will kill you! Short Benefit – Long Consequences! A sinful way to get something you need or want is never worth it and ultimately never delivers.

It’s a prison on the inside, that looks like a penthouse on the outside! You don’t know that you’re hooked until the cell door slams behind you! The thrill of sin lasts a short time; the bill for sin lasts a long time! There’s a little good stuff and a whole lot of guilt; a rush that’s brief and wreckage that can last a lifetime.

Don’t fall for the lies on sin’s package! Check its real contents, as exposed graphically in the Bible! Or in the words of my nutritionist, “READ THE CONTENTS!” In fact, she said something interesting to me recently. I told her I’ve been good and only eating whole wheat bread. And she said, “but is it 100%?” I was confused of course. I thought she would be happy that I was eating whole wheat bread. But she said, “the contents, the ingredients, make the difference between something bad and good, and between something good and great.” For example, I now buy tuna fish in the can (but in water, not oil); I buy my fruit cups (but in their own natural juice, not syrup). You see, tuna fish and fruit cups are good for you, but their contents, ingredients, make the difference between good and great! So, the next time a temptation avails itself, before you rush in based on “appearance sake” only, read the contents, read the ingredients!

2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV) Here’s a few more translations:

“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.” (AMP);

“They will LOOK LIKE they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” (CEB);

“They will go on PRETENDING to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!” (ERV);

“having the APPEARANCE of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV);

“and will ACT as if they serve God but will not have his power. Stay away from those people.” (NCV);

“They will do things to make it LOOK AS IF they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.” (NLV)

Sounds a lot like false-advertising to me! Much like Satan and Sin, they only have a, “form, look like, pretend, appear, act and look as if”. The container is misleadingly safe, the contents however are dangerous and deadly! Don’t be fooled by what’s on the outside, use wisdom and search the inside!

Now, if you’ve already opened sin’s package, just get out while you can! If you’re looking at a compromise that God calls sin, run the other way, while you still can! You haven’t got time for the pain, for the scars, for the slavery, for the shame. Do it God’s way, even if it’s harder, even if it takes longer. Remember, it’s the narrow road that leads to life. It’s the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

No More Falling For Satan and Sins Container Appearance! Now That You KNOW What the Contents Are And Their Capability to Kill You, Keep Your Spoon Out of There! It’s Gravy, NOT Cool Whip!

Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees, focusing on the CLEAN OUTER APPEARANCE…when INWARDLY, IT’S A FILTHY MESS! (Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the OUTSIDE of the cup and of the plate, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed).  You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the INSIDE of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your INNER self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the OUTSIDE [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.” (AMP)

Don’t Let the Container Fool You, the Contents Are Not For Your Good! They are a Mere Counterfeit! Use Discernment So That You Be Not Deceived! The Kingdom has such a need of you that it cannot afford for you to compromise and miss God! Therefore, feed your relationship with the Holy Ghost so that He can guard and guide you daily and help you to keep your footing from slipping, stumbling and falling into Satan’s attractive annihilating traps! Don’t Let the Container Fool You in Regards to it’s Real Content!

2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as COUNTERFEIT?” (AMP);

Galatians 1:7, “which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, COUNTERFEIT teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].” (AMP);

2 Thessalonians 2:9, “The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of COUNTERFEIT miracles] and [DECEPTIVE] signs and FALSE wonders [all of them LIES]” (AMP);

2 Timothy 3:8, “These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is COUNTERFEIT.” (AMP)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged
Feel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “The Consequences of Two Women Who Chose to Ignore God!”

 

“Don’t Let Fake Fool You!”

Matthew 13:24-25, “Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [RESEMBLING WHEAT] among the wheat…” (AMP)

I guess as a woman, it would be considered rather strange that I don’t particularly care for Roses. I don’t consider them ugly, I just don’t possess a particular fondness for them. And to be honest, I really don’t like any one set flower. However, if you really want my heart to sing, give me a mixed bouquet of wildflowers! I absolutely love a bouquet of mixed flowers with all the different shapes, sizes, colors etc…it just captures my heart and instantly makes me smile!

However, I must share this. One of my coworkers had a beautiful bouquet of flowers on her desk. I stopped by to pick up some work, and there I saw these amazing flowers in a vase. Wildflowers! My Wildflowers! I actually noticed a few more times as I hustled down the hall past her door. I really felt like a flower stalker! I just couldn’t help myself. I would walk past her office, even if I had no reason to, just to take a glimpse at her huge bouquet of the wildflowers I so love. But then one day, I actually put on the brakes for a moment and I stuck my head all the way in the office and told her, ‘I have just got to smell the flowers on your desk’. I leaned over and inhaled deeply…needless to say…it wasn’t worth the stop. You see, after all of that peeking, visiting, stalking, admiring, smiling and smelling…I exhaled my disappointment. The beautiful, breath-taking wildflower bouquet was a fake! It looked so real, too real, so real in fact that I couldn’t tell they were fake until I got close enough to realize they didn’t have the scent real flowers possess.

Which made me think of us, the church, the body of believer’s. Do we carry the Real Scent of our Savior? 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (AMP)

You know, those flowers can sure fool you, and so can some ‘church folks’. They look so real, but they have no life. They look so authentic, but they have no scent. Just like so many folks who look like they really belong to Jesus Christ, but there’s no life, no sweet fragrance of the scent of Christ.

Jesus warned us about this fatal difference in His story about God’s Kingdom being like a wheat field. Listen: Matthew 13:24-30, “Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [RESEMBLING WHEAT] among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also.  The servants of the owner came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have weeds in it?’ He replied to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’ But he said, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”(AMP)

Please Note: Just because God hasn’t uprooted the phony weeds now, doesn’t mean He won’t later! In fact, the phony weeds will be first to be gathered, tied and burned! So, don’t by any stretch of the imagination think that you’re getting away with Imitation Christianity! God knows who are His and who are not. He knows who’s real, and who’s fake (no matter how well a performance or appearance they put on).

In another place, Jesus describes people who will come before Him on Judgment Day, talking all the right Christian words and beliefs and activities. But He’ll tell them, “I never knew you.” Now, that’s what you call some frightening words! Here’s the Scripture in full: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’ (AMP) The Message Bible reads like this: “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ (MSG)

I don’t know about you, but that certainly gave me a Selah moment! And that moment took me straight to 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?” (AMP) The Message Bible reads like this: “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it…” (vss. 5-9 MSG).

The time to realize that you know ABOUT Jesus but you don’t KNOW Him is NOW, not when you’re standing before Him, BECAUSE THEN IT’S TOO LATE! Now, is the time to self-exam and get yourself together! Now, is the time to make sure you’re planted, deeply rooted among the wheat, the real wheat, not them ‘Resembling Wheat!’ If you find yourself amongst the Tares, tear yourself away and get right! Or you’ll find yourself falling in the same category as those whom Christ said, “I Never Knew You!” And pay attention to the text, because it doesn’t say let the Apostle, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Evangelist, Minister, Deacon evaluate you and your lifestyle of faith to make sure it’s genuine. No, this is an inside job! “TEST AND EVALUATE YOURSELVES…” Your faith, and lack thereof, are your responsibility alone! You have no one to blame but yourself if you ‘miss the boat!’ It’s too late in the end-time hour to keep faking, pretending, acting like, and impersonating righteousness! It’s time to simply get Right and get Real! Remember 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Now, let’s look at this in a few translations shall we:

“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.” (AMP);

“They will LOOK LIKE they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” (CEB);

“Even though they will MAKE A SHOW OF BEING RELIGIOUS, their religion WON’T BE REAL. Don’t have anything to do with such people.” (CEV);

“They will go on PRETENDING to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!” (ERV);

“having the APPEARANCE of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV);

“They will APPEAR to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.” (GWT);

“they will hold to the OUTWARD FORM of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.” (GNT);

“They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that.” (TLB);

“They will do things to make it LOOK as if they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.” (NLV)

Just like those artificial flowers that are so beautiful but so dead, it’s so easy to look like someone who belongs to Jesus but not really know Him. Especially if you’ve been around Jesus most of your life. You know the words. You believe the beliefs (when it’s convenient). You try to do the right things. You go to the right meetings. You give to the right things. And, quite possibly, everyone around you assumes you belong to Him…Except Jesus! And He’s the only one who matters. “MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE” That’s personal, so have you made your election sure? Are you sure you belong to Him? Are you sure you have a real relationship with Him? 

Listen: That “examine yourself” verse says to make sure “Christ Jesus is IN YOU.” Not on you, as all the “I’m a Believer” symbols like to imply. You know, we like to carry the bible, talk in church lingo, have 10 titles, 15 robes, 20 crosses, all to look like we’re something we’re not. We’re attending Sunday School, Bible Study, Prayer Meetings, Revivals, Anniversaries, Outreach, and the like and still heading straight to hell as the Non-Believer we are at heart. It’s time we stop “wearing Christ” and actually have Him on the INSIDE. Because truly that is the only thing that will make a REAL difference.

A lot of people simply have Jesus around them, but not in them because there’s never been a time when they consciously and personally really opened up their life to Him. And I do mean all of it, not just the compartments you feel safe or comfortable in letting Him visit. But I mean letting Him move all the way in. Take your name off the deed to your body, and make it His sole property alone. It’s time to stop having Christ in our head, but not in our heart. Which means you will miss heaven by eighteen inches. (That’s how far it is from your head to your heart). And God says, “It is with the HEART man BELIEVES and is SAVED” (Romans 10:9). You Need Jesus in Your Heart (not your pumping organ, but in your soul, in your spirit, in the core of your life), Not Just in Your Head, if You are to Ever Have a Real, True, Genuine, Authentic Relationship With Him!

Look at it like this: One night Keith went into a church not married. The woman he wanted to marry came down the aisle. They stood in front of the minister. They walked out together, but Keith left still not married. Why? Because it was the rehearsal. However, the next night, same woman, same man, same minister, same aisle, but this time Keith walked out married. You see, the first night Keith was just going through the motions. But the second night he committed his life to her. Maybe you’ve been going through all the motions of knowing Jesus. But somewhere, you’ve missed the step of saying, “Jesus, I know what you did on that cross was for me. And you’re my only hope. Beginning right here, beginning right now, I am completely Yours! I turn my entire life into Your capable, nail scarred hands!” You see, that’s when you commit yourself to Him. Not practice, not rehearse, not go through the motions, not resemble, not look like, not pretend. But for real! Which means no more going to church every Sunday, singing the songs, dancing, leaping, running, clapping, shouting, praising, speaking in whatever tongues. In other words, no more show, no more performance, no more acting and acting like. But this time being real with God so you can finally be right with God. Because the truth is, you don’t have any more time to play and waste. As cliché as it may sound, His return is soon. And you don’t want to be unprepared for His arrival. You want to be rapture ready. With no sorries, no explanations, no reasons, no requests for just a little more time. You want no remorse and no regrets. And the only way to secure that is to be Real, be Right and be Ready!

Matthew 25:1-13, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].  For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.  Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.  But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].  But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’  But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’  But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, AND THOSE WHO WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.  Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’  But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU [WE HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP].’  Therefore, be on the alert [BE PREPARED AND READY], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].” (AMP)

For me, this was yet another Selah moment…

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be Left Behind. I want while I’m here to be planted and well rooted so that I may bear good fruit. And when it’s time to go home, I’m ready because I’m certain of my eternal resting place.

So, two things need to take place for us. One, we need to be planted and rooted as Real Trees/Plants/Flowers that grow, develop and produce fruit! Matthew 7:15-20, “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. THESE DISEASED TREES WITH THEIR BAD APPLES ARE GOING TO BE CHOPPED DOWN AND BURNED.” (MSG); Luke 13:7-9, “Then he told them a story: “A man had an apple tree planted in his front yard. He came to it expecting to find apples, but there weren’t any. He said to his gardener, ‘What’s going on here? For three years now I’ve come to this tree expecting apples and not one apple have I found. CHOP IT DOWN! WHY WASTE GOOD GROUND WITH IT ANY LONGER?’ “The gardener said, ‘Let’s give it another year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize, and maybe it will produce next year; IF IT DOESN’T, THEN CHOP IT DOWN.’” (MSG).

WISDOM NUGGET: Don’t take advantage of your grace-period! Get planted, rooted, develop, grow and bear fruit before your barrenness gets you chopped down!

Secondly, don’t put off getting real and right for tomorrow!  James 4:13-17, “And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.” (MSG)

Today, is your best day to get real, get right and get ready! Don’t put off until tomorrow when you may very well end up among the tares, among the foolish virgins or the chopped down barren tree!

Don’t Let Fake Fool You, the Time to Get Real With God is Today!

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged 
Feel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “Finding Peace When Lost in the Storms of Life!”