Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 2:5 (NIV) "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness."
Just the other day, I learned something about myself--about the way I sometimes try to get what I want. No, I didnt learn this from a TV show or even the latest novel. I learned this lesson from none other than my three-year-old niece. God can use even the tiniest of His creations to teach us great truths.
After playing, my niece said to me, I love you, Uncle Darin. Now, you are probably thinking, How cute and sweet she is! But slow down! You see, after this declaration of love, my adorable and charming little niece adds, So can I have a piece of candy? I dont doubt that my niece loves me dearly. But when she mouths that phrase, I love you, so can I...? I have to suspect that she is motivated not so much by her love of me, as by his desire to get something from me.
I have to admit to you now that Im not above trying this little trick myself in my walk with the Lord. It is relatively easy to say, Lord, I praise You, fervently or I love You, Lord, sweetly. Then I wait expectantly for Him to grant my prayer requests. Please dont misunderstand me here, though. God does grant us the desires of our hearts, and delights in doing so, just as I take great pleasure in granting my niece's requests (this is all is okay if they are not wrong or harmful or inappropriate). But just because my niece can say I love you doesnt automatically ensure approval of her requests or fulfillment of his desires. So also, my I love You, Lord or "I praise you, Lord doesnt mean that all my prayers will be answered in just the way I want, or at the precise time I want.
As you spend time with God in praise and worship today, remember that your devotion to Him should never be used as a cover up to get your own way. Faith Lesson: Flattery will get you nowhere with God: "[A] flattering mouth works ruin."--Proverbs 26:28
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: 1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 2:5 (NIV) "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness."
Just the other day, I learned something about myself--about the way I sometimes try to get what I want. No, I didnt learn this from a TV show or even the latest novel. I learned this lesson from none other than my three-year-old niece. God can use even the tiniest of His creations to teach us great truths.
After playing, my niece said to me, I love you, Uncle Darin. Now, you are probably thinking, How cute and sweet she is! But slow down! You see, after this declaration of love, my adorable and charming little niece adds, So can I have a piece of candy? I dont doubt that my niece loves me dearly. But when she mouths that phrase, I love you, so can I...? I have to suspect that she is motivated not so much by her love of me, as by his desire to get something from me.
I have to admit to you now that Im not above trying this little trick myself in my walk with the Lord. It is relatively easy to say, Lord, I praise You, fervently or I love You, Lord, sweetly. Then I wait expectantly for Him to grant my prayer requests. Please dont misunderstand me here, though. God does grant us the desires of our hearts, and delights in doing so, just as I take great pleasure in granting my niece's requests (this is all is okay if they are not wrong or harmful or inappropriate). But just because my niece can say I love you doesnt automatically ensure approval of her requests or fulfillment of his desires. So also, my I love You, Lord or "I praise you, Lord doesnt mean that all my prayers will be answered in just the way I want, or at the precise time I want.
As you spend time with God in praise and worship today, remember that your devotion to Him should never be used as a cover up to get your own way. Faith Lesson: Flattery will get you nowhere with God: "[A] flattering mouth works ruin."--Proverbs 26:28
In Christ,
Darin Smith
