Ever meet someone who says one thing, but does the opposite; someone who acts hypocritical? One who is sure to force everyone to abide by every rule - including their own - but, not themselves? Or, maybe one who 'knows it all', - but really doesn't know much? Someone that constantly tells lies? How about one who acts one way at, let's say church, but another way the rest of the time? - A fake; i.e., Politician?! How is it that each of these people could deliver a speech, and still not have the audience convinced? Because, there is something that speaks louder than words. A deceiver. That is basically what they are. They have deceived themselves, and even others, that they are something they aren't. There have been some people I have never met, barely know, even some I have never talked to, yet they have affected my life in such an indescribable way. There are people I have never talked to face to face, still their lives have changed my heart. There are others who I have known practically all my life, talk to on a regular basis, and have been such a blessing in my life... but what they have said to me wasn't what did it. Why?
They didn't fake it. They didn't speak from the mind, they spoke from the heart. They lived and I watched. Their words and their lives matched. They were real. However, if we were honest... really honest with ourselves, that couldn't truly be found in us. To quote the preacher at the youth rally, "We are great deceivers, many of us have even deceived ourselves." We deceive ourselves in our position relating to Christ; we have deceived ourselves into thinking we are 'okay' and a good Christian. But are we really? He stole my thunder in actually many of the coming posts. Just kidding. However, many things he said, are thoughts that I am basing some future writings on. I will tell you this, the message he preached was for me. If no one else, I needed it. I recall another youth rally message that has stuck with me. A few years ago, Bro. Kurt Copeland preached an awesome message on Getting Real; getting real with God and stopping the faking of your relationship. We teens who have grown up in church are masters at this skill. We know just what, where and how to pray, to say, to do.... we have been taught the in's and out's of appearing as a Christian. But that's not what it's about. I have watched all too many teens - teens that have been raised in church or the ministry - grow up and get out of church. Why? Because it wasn't real. They were trying to act like a Christian instead of trying to be like Christ. No one wants imitation, especially when it's sold as an original. It's always better to get the real thing. As Bro. John Nelson says, "Live bait is always better than artificial bait." Margarine is nothing close to butter; neither are artificial sweeteners close to sugar. Now, how close are you to the Savior? You can fake it, you're good at it. You may be able to fake the world, and yourself into believing you have an intimate walk with Christ.... but you can't fool Him. I can't stand forcing emotion. I hate 'faking' anything... but I enjoy acting (crazy combination, I know). If I express something, it's really me. However, I still find myself faking my relationship with Him at times. I deceive myself into believing 'everything's fine' between Him and I, when really I haven't spent much time with Him, or when the time I spent with Him wasn't truly focused on Him. Yes, no one is perfect. Praise the Lord, because I am nothing close to perfect! However, just because no one's perfect, we can't have the mindset of 'well then, how good is good enough'.... 'how do I get by?'; instead, 'How can I thrive in my relationship with Him'? All I have to say is GET REAL! Quit trying to make yourself into something you're not. Quit faking and get real in your relationship with Him. He knows your heart, you can't fool Him anyway. So, be honest. With Him, with others, and yourself.
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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