Deception

I know God always has things to say to us. He speaks to us daily and the test isnt to hear the message and carry out the plan correctly, its just to listen. Sometimes there are certain things He insists that we hear, maybe we haven't been listening or maybe He just wants us to know that what He has called of us is not completely out of reach like we often (or atleast I) seem to think. I heard Him loud and clear this morning as soon as Sunday serman at Beulah UMC began and I realized it was the exact same sermon I had heard last week at Southland Christian while visiting family in KY. Two very different churches, especially in size. But Gods message is never changing. Always the same. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" Hebrews 13:8. The two pastors both even told the same story about the man in a grocery store who was followed by an elderly lady all through the store when she finally confronted him at the checkout line and told him that he reminded her of her late son and asked that he simply say "Goodbye mom" as she left the store. He then realizes that shes told the grocer that her "son" would pick up her over 100$ tab. The truth is this is exactly like Satan. Deceitful. He acts like he loves us but we know that only God has love for us that surpasses all understanding. But what we dont realize is that we are being drawn in to Satan's deceit each and every day. Some of us alittle worse than others. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that the thiefs purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. But His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life. We all go through it. When God places obstacles before us that make us wanna run the other way. Whether it be holding us back one semester of nursing school, telling us to settle down with that one man or woman He has picked for us, to take that next step and walk down the aisle, that you are indeed supposed to remain in this ONE marriage forever, or move to a different state when all youve ever known is the one you live in. The truth is, gping any other path wont work. Kinda like Jonah (Im partial to Jonah because it was the book my first children's message came from, and I just love the story). He didnt like God's command to go and preach to the people of Ninevah. Then the storm catches him as he runs away and he ends up in a whales mouth. After this, he ends up where he was wanted the whole time. Ninevah. The amazingness is that God puts us where we need to be eventually even if we go face hard times on the way. Hes always getting our attention. And through trials we grow closer to Him, so He wins and Satan loses. Have you ever thought that those people that turn to drusgs, sex, and abuse do so because they have so little confidence in themselves that they dont believe they can do what God has called of them? That He has great things in store for them but Satan's deceit tells them better things are in the other direction. Ive seen it. And I believe it. I dont believe this level of evil truly lives inside God's people. But I do know that Satan is powerful. That these people are in desperate need of prayers and the reminder of knowing that are truly loved. I dont try to interpret what Gods lessons mean. But I cant help but believe He sends lost souls right to our feet because WE need to be the ones to lead them to His love. That fear is real and its easy to get away from God in todays society. We forget to open our Bibles when we work, go to school, raise kids, and sleep in our spare time. That hole I spoke about in one blog, the one that grows bigger and bigger with each passing day we dont spend in the scripture that Satan can dig into and chizzle away at. Its real and thats the problem with alot of our lost souls. Instead of running from God's next challenge, I hope you and I will do as Peter tells us. To "Give all your worries and cares to God, because HE cares about you." The only thing Satan cares about is turning us away from God and he has no room in his heart for love. Gods word is all powerful.