The Sting

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4

“Because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.” NLT (Bible Paraphrase – Emphasis Added)

If you know anyone who has been swindled it can be one of life’s most embarrassing, humiliating and heartbreaking experiences.

The 1973 film “The Sting” has become a classic of how confidence men select a mark and follow through to swindle a large sum of money.

To be placed in a position where people set you up by gaining your confidence — Then deliberately mislead you in order to swindle your money, possessions and properties is an awful experience.

Some call it a con game — Short form of “confidence game!” And it’s as old as the Garden of Eden. Satan conned Adam and Eve.

Satan was cunning and charming inviting unsuspecting people to put their confidence in him. He whispered promises and delicious possibilities into their ears. All the time knowing that he had no intent to keep those promises or make good on his delicious possibilities.

Adam and Eve were embarrassed, humiliated and heartbroken by the choices they made — they were stung by Satan’s sting.

Since then Old Slue Foot Satan has been repeating the same lies with his tantalizing promises. All of which he never plans on delivering. His con game goes on. His game plan never changes.

So who can we trust to keep promises? The Bible is clear. The Lord Jesus Christ. There are promises laced all throughout the Bible and they are there for you and me. You can have complete confidence in God because His name and nature guarantee it.

Each book in the Bible is loaded with promises from God. The New Testament book of Matthew, for example, holds 57 promises, Romans 41 and Revelation 37.

Look at what the Apostle Paul says about God’s promises, “For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:19-22 NLT

Avoid the sting at all costs — Walk in the great and precious promises set before you since the beginning of time.

Prayer: Father thank you for your great and precious promises. Help me to always chose to walk with Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Bill Team Prayer

Father please bring 1…………. 2…………. 3………….. into your kingdom.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!