Genuinely Fake

Be so familiar with the truth that when you encounter a lie, it sets off an alarm in your soul.  Falsehood can manifest itself in many different roles and sometimes the perpetrator is the one in the mirror.  Yep, you.  It's funny how you cannot see yourself w/o looking in the mirror or seeing your reflection.  Be sure to look at your reflection (yourself) often.

Let's face it, everyone lies.  Yep I said it.  You, me, she and they.  We all lie at one time or another.  A 2 year old child lies w/o fully understanding that it's wrong.  A child does not have to be trained to be disobedient, that comes naturally.  We are born sinners.  The wicked are estranged from the womb, those who speak lies go astray from birth.  Psalm 58:3   For a better understanding of what this verse means, I suggest you do your research.  Studying God's word is the best way to learn.  When you study His word, you will not be easily deceived.

We are all capable of lying.  Most people do not like to lie but will sometimes lie to avoid conflict (the  peacemaker).  They may be known to withhold the truth by not speaking up or revealing what they know even when it's necessary.  That is a form of lying or faking, ok.

Then there are those who practice lying as a regular way of life.  They are constantly trying to come up with ways to deceive people.  They are fake and appear to be something that they are not.  For some, lying is how they make money, it's their full time job.  Some people lie for power.  False witnesses come to deceive people about God's word.  They want to control people.  This is what I call faking it to make it.

Recently there was a report on the news about the "fake red sole shoes".  You know, the french shoe designer Christian Louboutin?  All of  his shoes have a signature bright red sole.  People were making a profit by selling counterfeit Louboutin's.  They deceived the public who believed that they were getting a great deal for the real thing.  The garment districts are notorious for this.

I used to work at a credit union and me and 2 other women taught a few classes on how to identify counterfeit money, bad checks and fake identification.  I taught the part of the class regarding counterfeit money.  Everyone was surprised to see the depths that people go to get money.  There are so many security features on real paper money that makes it difficult to duplicate.  But if you don't know the real thing, you will accept the counterfeit.  By the time you realize it's a fake, it may be too late and you are left with something that is of no value to you.

 In this life, you will encounter perpetrators whether it be "fake people", "fake money", or "fake things".  They are so good at what they do that it's not always obvious at first.  We must watch the company we keep.  Some people are really good at appearing genuine or real (actors).  When you find out who they really are, you feel betrayed.  Don't ignore your instincts.  That's the red flags and alarms that go off when you are in the presence of something or someone that isn't genuine or real.

If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Is it you?  Sometimes we lie to ourselves.  We act differently than how we feel.  Acting, faking, deceiving, lying, call it what you want.  If you struggle with telling the truth talk to God about it.  Ask Him for forgiveness and to help you change your life.  You can avoid it all by Keepin It Real  and trusting God no matter what.

From My Soul To Yours ©

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Following photo:
I Forgive You courtesy of:
PeaceBeWithU.com

D Day, Really?

How many times will a man try to predict the end of the world?  I really hate it when people take God's word and try to mislead people.  That's adding to His word and they will be held accountable for doing that.  Believer's do not be fooled.  The bible is clear about the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, there are signs of the end times and it appears that we have seen them all, but no man knows the exact day or hour.

Let's go to scripture, shall we?

Matthew 24: 4-28 speaks all about the signs of the "End of the Age"

Verse 11 says; "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many."
I was very saddened to see all the people on the news today that believe the claims of one man by the name of Harold Camping that "Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment," is what he told the Associated Press.  Now if that's not a false prophet, then I don't know who is.

Matthew 24:42-44:
⁴²"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
 ⁴³"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
When some is robbed, they never know ahead of time.  It's when they least expect it.  When you are away or not paying attention, that's when you and/or your stuff gets taken.
 ⁴⁴"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
It doesn't just say that we don't know when, but when we don't think He will come is when He will come.  If you don't know what time to catch a flight, how can you be ready for it, right?  Well, if you want to be ready when Jesus comes, you better be saved.  That way, you won't need to know when because you will be ready for whenever.
 
Mark 13:32-33:
 ³²"But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
If Jesus doesn't even know, then why would any man claim to know?  Do you really think you know more than Jesus?
 ³³"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
God says the only thing you need to do is be on alert, in other words, "Pay attention".

See to it that no one misleads you.  You should study God's word to show yourself approved.  His word will never return void, meaning if He says it, it will come to pass.

Matthew 7:14-16 
 ¹⁴"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

  ¹⁵"Beware of the ^(A)false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ^(B)ravenous wolves.

 ¹⁶"You will ^(C)know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

(New American Standard Bible)