July 2017 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for July 29, 2017 – When loving others is hard

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better.

Yesterday, I visited my orthopedic surgeon to get cortisone injections in my hands…a treatment for osteoarthritis. (This is why there was no devotional yesterday.) I won’t lie…the “shots” were brutal…and the doctor kept apologizing for inflicting such necessary pain. Greg went with me, and I told both men that I could not guarantee I wouldn’t say something ugly. The surgeon told me that he had heard it all…and to say whatever I needed!

Thankfully, I refrained from colorful language…although I might have yelped pretty loudly a time or two. But I can assure you, I wanted to say plenty! By the grace of God, I made it through and received “full doses” in both hands that will hopefully buy me many months of full range of motion without pain and discomfort.

In the last few months, especially, many things have happened that have left me wanting to say “ugly things”. I have witnessed people behaving badly…”Christians” operating without any semblance of love…name calling…criticism…and hateful behaviors. I’ve seen people demonstrate selfishness, self-centeredness, and downright deception. I have observed the mistreatment of others at the hands of more than one person who professes to love and serve Jesus.

I’ll admit…there has been a voice in my head (and I know it’s the devil) that said, “Let ‘em have it! Tell them off! Call them names and respond on social media. Call these vile people out in public…criticize them and tell them they are not behaving like Christians. Put them in their place and let the whole world know how terrible you think they are!”

But a saner, LOUDER Voice says, “Don’t lower your standards to theirs. Don’t sink to their level…and don’t judge. Just love. Let My love cover you – and by default – surround them. Show others with your words and actions how I expect you to live and serve as My disciple. When they are unkind, be kind…when they call someone names or lie and deceive, lift those persons up and offer them a helpful, hopeful word of encouragement. Smile…and hug those you’d really like to throttle! Drop a note of hope and offers of prayer to someone who has been a real stinker. Speak calmly and kindly to the person who has just nearly chewed off your head – or that of someone you know and love.

Is it hard? You bet! Some days, my inner being kicks and screams and says, “NO! NO! NO! I just can’t do it! It’s simply TOO hard! Retaliation would feel SO good!” But it won’t…at least not for very long. Meekness is not a sign of weakness. It takes a really strong person, powered by some amazing grace and mercy, to offer love to people who are unlovely.

Look at it this way…you and I have surely been unlovely to Jesus plenty of times. We have mistreated Him and said and done things that undoubtedly caused Him to wish He could dust His hands and be rid of us. And yet, Jesus will NEVER leave us. He will NEVER stop loving us. He desires to know us better…to be totally in our business every minute of the day, no matter how we behave.

There will be plenty of opportunities to say and do “ugly things”…to speak unkindly or treat others badly. Whether it is the temporary agony inflicted in hopes of buying a few pain-free months…or the deliberate demonstration of hatred and malice exacted by someone who apparently does not have the love of God in their heart…we must endure it all – and to love in return – because God first loved us.

WE.CAN.DO.THIS! The Holy Spirit will equip us for such a task. Are you ready, willing, and able to operate continually in the love of God? Is this the day you’ll recommit to doing so?

July 27, 2017 – Are you a child of God …and can others tell?

1 John 3:1-3
See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children—think of it—and we really are! But since most people don’t know God, naturally they don’t understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, right now, and we can’t even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure.

A few nights ago, I read Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman to the preschool children attending Vacation Bible School. This is the story of a baby bird that hatches while his mother is out looking for food. He leaves the nest in search of her…and he almost immediately walks right by her – because he has no idea what she looks like and does not recognize her.

The bird meets several animals – and a couple of inanimate objects – that he assumes are his mother, before being placed back in the nest, where the mother bird arrives with dinner. “Do you know who I am?” she asks the baby bird…and he responds with a list of the animals and things she is NOT and then says, “You are a bird, and you are my mother!”

The children and I agreed that we don’t really know what God or Jesus looks like. But I assured them that God is with us. When we speak the name of Jesus – He draws near to us. We recognize His presence in many ways…through a sense of direction, calm and comfort…through a myriad of events that happen right in front of us…and through the love, joy and care that is shared with others by His children, who act as His earthly servants.

As Christians, we ARE God’s children…and we should be readily recognizable as such. But let me ask you…how are you known? A few weeks ago, a childhood friend was visiting us, and he noted that there seem to be a lot of people who claim to be Christians – yet they don’t act like Christ’s disciples. Sadly, I’ve heard several people in recent months make a similar comment – and I cannot honestly say that I am confident all of these folks were believers themselves. It has me worried about what we are demonstrating to others.

I am concerned by the number of people who seem to be claiming the name of Jesus while acting like they are firmly in the devil’s camp. The level of hatred, discrimination, judgment, and criticism…the lies, deceit and cruelty that some try to justify…the verbal attacks on certain people and groups…and so many more unkind and insensitive words and actions that are being demonstrated by people who claim to be children of the Most High God make me cringe. I have actually had people ask me, “How can he/she possibly be a Christian and say and do such things?” My answer is quite simply…”I don’t know.”

What I do know is that I am more cognizant of how many people are watching…and how critical it is that when they see me, they see what they know in their earthly mind to be the embodiment of Jesus Christ. I realize fully well that when we meet Him face to face, Jesus’ “appearance” may be totally unlike anything we have ever imagined or envisioned. But His spirit will be the same…His kindness, compassion, love, grace, mercy, tolerance and patience, and inclusion of ALL people will be readily recognizable. He IS our Father…and we WILL know Him. The question is…will our witness have been such that those in our midst will be able to recognize Him, as well?

Daily Devotional for July 26, 2017 – Pure Motives…or Hidden Agendas

Titus 1:10-16
For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. They’ve got to be shut up. They’re disrupting entire families with their teaching, and all for the sake of a fast buck. One of their own prophets said it best:

The Cretans are liars from the womb, barking dogs, lazy bellies.

He certainly spoke the truth. Get on them right away. Stop that diseased talk of Jewish make-believe and made-up rules so they can recover a robust faith. Everything is clean to the clean-minded; nothing is clean to dirty-minded unbelievers. They leave their dirty fingerprints on every thought and act. They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words. They’re real creeps, disobedient good-for-nothings.

This morning, I saw a post on Facebook titled, “Here’s How to Cope with the Pettiness of Puberty When Your Teen Can’t Even”. I have a precious cousin who will turn 14 in October – and our own little ones and many of our dear friends’ children will be teens soon enough – so I thought I would check out this information. I was drawn in as the mother described her 13-year-old daughter’s seeming angst over the trials of puberty…acne, body changes, and braces for her teeth (which she described as “covering your teeth with a chain link fence”).

The mother noted how not so long ago, she could not even take a five-minute bathroom break without this child clinging to her leg and following her…and now the girl’s door is almost always closed – and Mom is not welcome to enter. She lamented that simple questions like “How was your day?” are met with an eye roll “enough shade that you will never sunburn”…and silence. And then she offered what I thought were going to be solutions…or at the very least, some helpful suggestions.

There were a couple of ideas…setting certain “open door mandatory” times…giving the child plenty of space. But the third suggestion was nothing more than a thinly veiled commercial for a description of a specific brand of invisible braces. The writer noted how this spared her daughter the embarrassment of conventional wires and bands. And she offered a link to this particular company’s website.

Now, I have no doubt that these are a viable product – and they do seem to work like braces without the visible encumbrance. But do you see what this mother did? She drew us in with her vivid – and relatable – description of her experience as the mother of a teenager. She made us want to hear what she had to say, as if she was some sort of expert. And then, she dropped the “ad” for a product. I don’t know if she was paid for the link to their website, but I have to wonder if she got some sort of compensation for it. Frankly, I felt a bit duped…and disappointed. I did not feel like I had been given the wisdom and encouragement I was seeking from this title.

There are a lot of people in this world who are either 1) peddling someone else’s wares with the hope of personal gain; or 2) they are totally out to promote their own agenda and benefit from it. In other words, they have ulterior motives and do not genuinely wish to nurture and encourage us. This not only happens in the secular world – but in matters of faith, as well. We have to be continually “on our toes” to discern when this is happening…and sadly, I am afraid a lot of both believers AND unbelievers never know what’s hit them.

How do we combat this deception? We must strive continually to be “the real deal” for Jesus…to offer others unadulterated, humble love and service in His name…to represent His teachings and direct them to salvation through the blood of Christ. We have to pare down Christian faith and employ the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid) for others. We must assure them that all that matters is that we sincerely offer our sins to Jesus and ask Him to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit…that we then operate within the parameters of His teachings…and that we don’t add or subtract anything from His message and commands.

Let me put this in plain English for you. Christian faith and discipleship is not about fancy buildings…flashy music…great programs for children and youth…inspirational Bible studies…what we wear and how much we give…and much more that has become so seemingly important. A relationship with Jesus Christ does not involve adoration for a group of human beings “at the top” – in the church OR in the secular world – who are our “be-all-end-all”…and on whose every word we hang. There is a difference between respect for position and tradition…and “idol” worship of a person, things, or convention.

We cannot talk to God enough…we cannot spend enough time listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We simply must stay awake and alert to the deception that is all around us. The devil is Busy with a capital “B”…and we cannot afford to give him even an iota of time and attention. We certainly cannot allow his dirty fingerprints to touch our hearts and minds…or to in any way perpetuate this to another living soul.

There should be no ulterior motives in our Christian discipleship…and personal gain should be the farthest thing from our minds. Are you guarding your heart – and your “delivery” of the Gospel – these days? Have you checked yourself lately for any hint of ulterior motive or a desire for personal gain and notoriety? Do you know for certain Who you are serving and representing these days in your daily discipleship? Isn’t it time you answer these questions and start living in God’s truth? Will this be the day you get started?

Daily Devotional for July 25, 2017 – Pot, meet Kettle!

July 25 ~ Romans 2:1-3
“Well,” you may be saying, “what terrible people you have been talking about!” But wait a minute! You are just as bad. When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are talking about yourselves, for you do these very same things. And we know that God, in justice, will punish anyone who does such things as these. Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and overlook you when you do them, too?

Anyone who has ever worked with kids has heard plenty of “Well, HE started it!” or “What about HER?”. Sadly, we see this type of behavior in adults, too…even world leaders! I call this the “Pot, meet Kettle” syndrome. And Paul makes it clear in this passage from Romans 2 that God is NOT amused – or tolerant – of such behavior.

If you have been following these devotionals for the last week or so, you have probably noticed a theme of sorts…tenets and commands that have been threaded through the daily delivery. Some of these include…

Let go – and let God have control.
Do not judge others – leave this to God.
Mind your own business – focus on YOUR relationship with Jesus.
Demonstrate tolerance and acceptance for ALL people – let Christ’s love be the mediation and healing “balm” that brings us together.

Last night, I talked to the preschoolers at VBS about how God loves us…how He made each and every one of us unique and special…and we are all precious to Him. The God who holds us so dear also judges each of us for our words and actions…and nobody gets a “pass”. None of us is more significant to God…none of us gets to put ourselves above others and expect God to endorse these judgments.

If you are practicing “Pot, meet Kettle” behavior…it’s time to stop. There is not a minute to waste. We must all get busy tending to the business of serving Jesus…and let God handle the judgment and justice. Will this be the day that you begin?

Daily Devotional for July 24, 2017 – Are you minding your own business?

Romans 14:13-23
Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don’t eat, you’re no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don’t you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!

God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.

A friend posted on Facebook this morning that her little girl (who I think is 10) no longer wants help choosing her wardrobe. The mother said…”She has now taken her stance, and I have zero say in what she wears. Everyday clothes…I lost control a long time ago, but dance clothes I could still buy and make her wear. Not anymore. Today she chooses a slouchy tank top over her adorable dance gear….which she changed 4 times.”

This little girl wins dance competitions all the time. She also now models for a major department store’s online catalog. And I hear she is an excellent student. So as much as we adults want our kids to dress a certain way, I know that this mother understands that this is a minor point in the scheme of things. This child will never leave the house dressed shabbily or indecently…and her attire will most likely never affect her in a negative way. I am slowly learning that we must pick our battles with kids…and often, wardrobe is one to let go!

This is what Paul is telling us in Romans 14:13-23…making a big deal over certain things only makes us look foolish and judgmental. Criticizing and finding fault with others gives people the impression that there must be something sorely lacking in us that we are trying to fill by tearing down someone else. Let’s be honest…nobody wants to be around someone who is always critical and negative.

Paul sums it up in one line…our task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. This is often hard for me…and maybe it is for you, too. I am a “fixer” by nature. Many of us get caught up in trying to “help” others…and sometimes we would be better off to tend to our own business. There is a fine line between genuinely offering support and advice…and meddling. Prayerfully ask God which one accurately describes your words and actions…and make the necessary adjustments.

A lot of what we value really matters very little to God’s Kingdom. We tend to get caught up in petty details that don’t add up to a hill of beans. A 10-year-old’s “slouchy” dance top won’t make her a terrible dancer…and many of the things we think are so awful won’t make someone a terrible Christian. It’s time for us to dial it down a little and focus more on our own relationships with Jesus…and less on how others are doing. Are you with me?

Daily Devotional for July 23 – Tending to our own knitting

Romans 14:10-12
So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

“As I live and breathe,” God says, “every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God.”

So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

This week, several things have happened that left me perplexed. I won’t go into details, but more than once, I’ve asked myself, “Why did he/she do that?” It would be easy to judge…and I probably have in some instances. I know I have been critical and voiced opinions about how *I* would do things differently. I make no excuses…and I will tell you that we all do this.

Paul tells us in Romans 14:10-12 that criticism and condescension are sinful traits…and we should do all we can to eradicate them from our daily living. He rightly points out that someday, we are going to kneel before Jesus with a lot of the same people for whom we had disdain and a harsh word. I’ve always said that many of us will be surprised at who we meet in heaven…that there will be people there we never dreamed would “get in”!

This all points out that none of us truly knows what’s in the “heart” of another. We don’t know their struggles and heartaches…and we don’t know their relationship with Jesus – or even whether they really have one. The person who is so ready to talk to us about Jesus and what He means in their life may be living one big fat lie…while the person who seems like he/she cannot get it together may be doing as well as possible because of a daily communion with – and dependence on – the Holy Spirit.

We simply do not have all the answers…and we need to stop acting like we do. None of us has a “corner on the market” with regard to Jesus. Instead of acting like we are someone special, perhaps we would better serve Him to swallow our pride and walk in humility for a while…to “tend to our knitting” and concentrate on living as He wants, rather than offering our opinion on the lives of others.

Greg and I traveled to Northwest Arkansas yesterday to attend a memorial service. The trip was almost four hours one way. On the drive home last evening, the traffic was thick, and the ride was LONG…and I so yearned to get home to the safety and security of my own house and our own little world.

Perhaps this is the message God has for me today…to “stay home” in the safety and security of my relationship with Him through Christ and the Holy Spirit…to let the “traffic” of the world go on without me…and to “keep to my lane”. Maybe this is your message, too?

Daily Devotional for July 21, 2017 – Getting past “the smell of the mistake”

Romans 14:1-4
Welcome all the Lord’s followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don’t criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours. Some think it is all right to eat anything, while those whose faith is weak will eat only vegetables. But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone. What right do you have to criticize someone else’s servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right, and the Lord will make sure that they do right.

I keep my mother’s copy of this Jesus Calling* on my desk, and I found a note she had made at the bottom of the July 5th entry. She wrote…”In the love of God, the smell of the mistake will pass. His love lasts forever.” I did a search for this quote and found a reference to it in one of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ books…Daddy Loves His Girls. Mother did not own this book…but she did have a Bible I had given her that was produced by Bishop Jakes…the “Woman, Thou Are Loosed” edition. I am sure that his quote accompanied a scripture passage she looked up on the day she studied the July 5th entry in Jesus Calling.

We don’t truly know what is in the heart and mind of another person. With regard to matters that we have prayerfully considered – and believe that God is directing us about in a certain manner – the “other guy” may feel the same way. Bishop Jakes’ comment was in the context of a child who comes to us wearing a dirty diaper. Once the diaper is changed, the smell is gone…but the child you love is still there. Sometimes, we have to look past another person’s “smell” and get to the precious child that God sees – and loves deeply. In other words, we must stop judging and trust that God knows the hearts of others…and He will decide whether they are right or wrong.

I know this is hard. By human nature, we judge most everyone on some level the minute we see them…whether it is their appearance, their demeanor, or how they greet us. Sometimes, we judge someone as soon as we hear their name, based on the opinion that someone else has shared with us – or what we have heard or read in the news! But we have to start looking at others from God’s perspective. We are NOT God…but we must make every effort to consider others as He does – and look beyond the “smell”, whether real or perceived.

In many ways, we are all broken vessels. We all have a wacky idea or two…and those who have formed thoughts and opinions about certain topics without adequate study of scripture and prayer may be way off base in many cases. But it is not our job to determine this. We must continue to love deeply…to demonstrate what we understand to be God’s truths based on our own communion and study…and let God be God for ALL of His children. I’m a work in progress, but I am making every effort to serve humbly and without judgment…what about you?

*Jesus Calling ~ http://jesuscalling.com

Daily Devotional for July 20, 2017 – Good friends and a hill of beans…

Romans 12:9-10
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

During a recent conversation with a friend, I made the comment that there are always two sides to every story. He interjected…”Actually, there are THREE sides…his, hers, and the truth!” And he is so right. We all tend to want to put our own “spin” on things. At the very least, each one of us sees a situation – or another person – at least a little bit differently from someone else. And sometimes, both parties are more than a little wrong in their judgment.

This is why you can find someone distasteful and unpleasant, while your best friend thinks this person is absolutely wonderful! It’s how you get the “love ‘em or hate ‘em camps” on everything from people to which brand of pork ‘n beans to purchase. And if you don’t believe me, you should have been around in the late 1990s. My dad was quite sure that Bush’s were the best, while my grandmother and her companion were positive that Van Camp’s were superior (or was it the other way around?). At any rate, both sides were adamant that THEIR preferred brand of beans was perfect…and the others were not worth bringing home from the store!

The point is that, beans aside, everyone loved each other. We respected the polarization on canned beans…but we didn’t let that overshadow our relationships. With regard to things that mattered, everyone was on a level playing field. Isn’t that how it is with most families…or how it should be? We tolerate each others’ quirks and idiosyncrasies…and we love in spite of them. I know it’s hard to believe, but you and I probably have a few traits that don’t suit everyone else, too!

The advice Paul gave to the Romans is solid…be yourself – and stay humble. Love others with the love of Christ…even when that means you sometimes have to bite your tongue. You don’t have to condone sinful behaviors…or even hang around all the time with people who rub you the wrong way. But you must be tolerant, patient, and kind to everyone…even if they eat the “inferior” brand of pork ‘n beans. Just remember to bring your own can to any picnics!

Daily Devotional for July 19, 2017

Philippians 1:9-10
My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns.

Timmy just spent 3 days and 2 nights with us on a mini “staycation”. I may or may not have let him eat ice cream for dessert after every meal yesterday. In my defense, he ate all of his meal first…and the visit was something of a “holiday”. I have fond memories of visiting my grandparents and getting special treats when I was a child. I consider this a rite of passage!

Grandmother Ramsey always kept a jar of delicious store-bought cookies…Neapolitan ice cream in the freezer…and sugar cones in the cabinet. Mam-ma Polly let us have “coffee” for breakfast – a cup filled with about half cream and half coffee – and lots of sugar…and “coffee cake” – a homemade biscuit topped with coffee, cream and sugar! We were given special privileges…like staying up late at Grandmother’s – and being “turned loose” to ride our horse all over the farm and up the road at Mam-ma Polly’s.

Greg has his own way of “loving/spoiling” the children – like pillow fights with our good pillows…allowing the boys to play with one of his Mark Martin race car models…and the remote control cars that “appeared” in our garage for outside play. My friend Shelton says that we remind him of his Aunt Pearl and Uncle Luther, who lavished love and attention on him, his brother and his cousins. We now laugh and say that I am in “Aunt Pearl mode” when the children visit Greg and me.

The other day, Nathan tearfully told me, “You’re not listening to me!” And maybe I wasn’t. He was being his four-year-old self and making some ridiculous demands…and some of them were the kind that I simply could not oblige. Being a good aunt and uncle means knowing when it’s okay to say “Yes!” – and when we have to firmly say “No!” and suffer any consequences. We have to clearly see the difference between right and wrong…because often, our children cannot seem to do this on their own.

As Christians, we have to find the delicate balance of love for others – and reasonable boundaries. We must learn when we can indulge the whims and actions of others that may seem a little skewed…and when we simply have to stand up and say, “I cannot agree with this.” And in all of this, we must never judge.

Life is so complicated. So many dynamics come into play. We truly do not know what is in another person’s heart and mind…so often, our assessments can be off base and unfair. There are so many mysteries and complications…and the only One who can truly sort them all out is Jesus. Our job is to trust Him to do this…and to simply love with His love in all situations.

This is a work in progress for me. I am a “fixer” by nature, which means that I have a hard time sitting on my hands sometimes and not jumping into a situation. I am talking to God a lot about how to find balance…and when to patiently sit still and just “love” others. I am listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice…and several times lately, I have felt Him pull me back and keep me from inserting myself into a conversation or situation. If we will truly listen and pay attention, the Holy Spirit will show us how, when and where to operate…and He will provide us with plenty of opportunities to love others in Jesus’ name.

At the end of the day, sometimes “Love is all you need”…it is enough in many situations and circumstances. Like 4-year-old Nathan, sometimes people simply need to be heard – or recognized. The desire for us to love more simply and honestly was that of the Apostle Paul for the church at Corinth…and it should be our desire for our own lives today. I’m a work in progress, but I am working on this…what about you?

Daily Devotional for July 18, 2017 – Phony Christians…and how to tell if you’re one of them…

Matthew 7:21-29
“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

“What’s a phony?” Timothy asked me this yesterday. I explained that people who claim to be something they are not are considered to be “phonies.” I gave him a couple of examples of what would be considered “phony” living…and he seemed satisfied. I am pretty sure he had heard someone on television use this term about another person.

It is probably safe to say that we all know a few “phonies”…someone who “talks a good game”…but that’s about as far as it goes. Perhaps what Jesus notes in this passage about how they use His words in Bible studies – or make a “show” of attending such gatherings or other worship meetings – applies to someone you know. I’m sure you get which ones I mean…those who are front and center to demonstrate how faithful they are – but fall apart at the first sign of trouble. Their faith is “skin deep”…and their foundation is like that of a sandy beach.

Too many people fit into this category. They have not truly developed a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus that sustains them in the tough times. They do not “live their faith” and actively demonstrate the teachings of Jesus to others. And it shows. Either they lack confidence, peace and calmness in their lives…and/or they say one thing – and do exactly the opposite. They make promises they cannot keep and claims that are supposedly in the name of Jesus but cannot be substantiated. In short, they are “phony” Christians.

Jesus’ teaching about this is clear. His outline for how to develop a solid, lasting relationship with Him could not be more thorough. His physical example of how to love others and share His love with them is undeniable. So why do we still have so many “phonies”…and are you one of them?

If the answer to the latter is “yes” in any way, shape or form, stop now and ask God to guide you as you get back on track. Call on Jesus to come into your life in a new and profound way. Seek constant communion with Him and get to a place where you recognize the Holy Spirit working in and through you as readily as you breathe.

There is no room for error here…and no space for phonies. Don’t miss the boat on this one! Call on Jesus to get you where you need to be as His disciple – and keep you there!

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