Trap: 2 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Trap 

                Too often so easy

                to not recognize.

                False paths

                fueling wrong decisions.

                Seems harmless

                seeking pleasure.

                Instead a trap

                into destruction.

                Only His light can

                open honest actions.

Psalm 89:43: "Thous dost also turn back the edge of his sword, And has not made him stand in battle."

                

Reflection: Lies: 2 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. When have you been deceived by lies that led you to dismay and failures?

        2. How did the truth get twisted?

        3. What insight enabled you to recognize the danger?

Share: How do you filter potential lies now through the Lord's guidance?

Lies: 2 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

2nd Peter 2:11-13: "Yet even angels, who are greater by they in power and strength, do not dare slander them before the Lord. These individuals are nothing but brute beasts--irrational creatures, born in the wild to be caught and destroyers--and they will perish like beasts. They are professional insulters, who slander whatever they don't understand, and in their destruction they will be destroyed.

    For all the evil they have done will come crashing down on them. They consider it their great pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. When they come to your love feats they are but strains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions as they feast with you."

Lies

Slander so easily twists truth's purpose and strength. Sometimes it seems considered mild when we don't understand correctly and we reject negatively. Sadly also caught up in deliberate lies when under attack.

Any seed of anger or abuse brings harshness and lies.

When we are faced with any lies we need to immediately turn to His truth and attitude in the slander. He will protect us both within and without. And show us when our own false information can pass lies unto others.

False choices create more destruction. Even in seasons of loss and tragedy.

Lord, please open our eyes to the lies and self-centeredness so that we may not follow deception through ignorance and instead learn to reveal Your truth and light to any who have become trapped.

Your thoughts,

Restraint: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 7

“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I imposed on them. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen. They have acted deceitfully, and they have put them among their own belongings.” Joshua 7:10

This is such a difficult passage to process as we come from a perspective of God’s eternal grace because of our Savior’s love and sacrifice. To stand back and see such death, with innocents included—perhaps as much as we see today in news headlines around the world, is sobering.

The confusion is intensified by the miracles Israel had recently witnessed. They could not have doubted God’s power. Did they think one man’s actions would not be noticed? That he could get away with it? Do we? Do I? Just a little bit of insurance that come a rainy day he and his family would have means.

It reminds me of one college essay assignment my students and I researched and debated several years ago as to the acceptance or not re telling white lies. We began with, “Wasn’t it okay to give a compliment if it would bring happiness?” As we dug deeper into the white lies more and more real lie damage and repercussions became apparent. The topic became even more muddled than I had anticipated and according to my students’ essays, their responses reflected that. Whichever position they took, they based their stance on social mores, family values, personal experience, and sometimes religion—but no personal walk with God.

In our society sin too has often become glossed over and hidden. How would we react to our own cravings small and large if we too visually saw the abhorrence in God’s eyes and the consequences immediately?

We have received the amazing gift of grace and know we can bring our failures to the cross. But sometimes it takes us awhile to recognize that our choices and actions have caused damage to those around us—hurt feelings, broken relationships, lost trust, and sometimes shattered lives.

When I insist I can manage wholly on my own, making my own choices and decisions, and just check in with the Lord when I’m stuck, then I’m walking on shifting sand. And I sink.

Lord, whenever we begin to chafe against Your restraints, please remind us that Your boundaries are shaped by sacrificial love and seek Your will instead.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 127:1-2

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives sleep to his beloved.”