Ephesians 4:14
We must stop acting like children. We
must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which
are like winds that toss us around from place to place.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One
day last week, I fixed lunch for the children, and I made “ants on a
log.” For those who have not heard of this, it’s celery pieces filled
with peanut butter and topped with raisins. Timothy immediately told me
that he did not like celery, so I made his “logs” with apple slices.
Kids can be picky eaters…and ours are no exceptions. One loves cherry
tomatoes…the others won’t touch them. Zola wants her cheese sandwiches
without mayonnaise…Timothy wants “extra mayo!”
I put some fruit
and Ritz® crackers on the plates, and the children had varied reactions.
Timothy insisted he did not like crackers. I suggested that this
one was more like a cookie…and after close examination and a sniff or
two, he tasted it – and liked it! I know there are some who try to
trick their kids into eating things they don’t like. Some go so far as
to try to “sneak” healthy ingredients into foods the children will eat.
And I guess I do a little manipulating by making the food “fun”…like
“dolphin bananas” and smiley-faced pancakes. But generally, if the kids won't eat something with a little encouragement to try it, I just ignore the situation and let them decide.
Subtle tricks of
manipulation are nothing new. Satan convinced Eve to try the apple in
the Garden of Eden. A lot of folks have been coaxed into tasting
something that they would otherwise never eat because they had no clue
what they were sampling. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the
devil uses slick tricks and manipulations to get us to change our minds
and follow false teachings and listen to someone other than God…and he
does this ALL.THE.TIME!
One of Satan’s best tricks is peer
pressure. If everyone thinks that XYZ is right…especially someone we
know/love/respect – a member of our family, co-workers or fellow church
members – then these opinions must be correct. How often do you see
families who are (at least, to some degree) split apart because one or
two people decide that the “party line” philosophy about certain issues
is not their own? I think one of the devil’s favorite phrases must
be…”It’s always been done this way.” And he truly believes that we will
support this notion!
Today, I am calling on each of us to search our hearts…and God’s word…and see what He has
to say about the issues and challenges of our day. Just as I
encouraged Timothy to try the cracker and see for himself whether he
liked it…I urge you to sample God’s word – in print and as He speaks to
you through prayer and meditation. Listen to Him and trust His
directives. If they differ from the ones of those in your circle of
influence, trust God to give you the strength and courage to stand up
for them.
BE SURE that you are hearing from God…and not from someone in your circle who is telling you what they think God said to them!
Use your brain! Open your own heart and mind and invite God to speak
directly to you. We cannot take someone else’s word for it on these
matters. We have to know for ourselves what God has to say. Have you
talked with Him lately? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label making decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label making decisions. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 26, 2013
Joshua 24:13-15
I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I found a suggestion on Pinterest for rewarding children for good behavior at home. This idea involves a little printed card with blocks for numbers 1-20. We are trying this with Timothy. Each time he deserves to be recognized for what he has done, a number is punched. When all of the blocks on the card have been punched, Timothy gets to pick a “treat” from a box or basket. Everything Timothy needs for growth and survival is provided in our home… food, clothing, shelter, love and nurture, and more. We freely provide all of this for him. But let’s be honest… it’s great when he chooses to behave nicely and honor our nurture and provisions - to play carefully with his toys and put them away when he is done, to use good table manners, and to respond quickly and positively when we ask him to do something!
I tell Timothy and Zola often… “It’s your choice.” But I had to laugh as I read this passage, where it said…”if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.” Often I say to them, “It’s your choice,” and add…”but choose now!” Even at ages four and two, children are able to make simple choices and to understand the outcomes of each option, and there is no sense in prolonging the decision!
From an early age, we learn to make choices. We learn that choices determine the outcome… and some come with consequences. The choices may seem easier when you are two and four… but essentially, they are no different. You know what it means to serve God… you’ve read the scriptures… you’ve seen true Christian discipleship in action. You know that the life of a Christian isn’t always easy… but you also know the rewards – both promised for Eternity, and those here on earth each and every day.
This passage seems a little cold and callous on the surface, but when you boil it all down, it’s really pretty basic. Pick a side. Serve God or serve whoever or whatever you like. But understand what you are in for if you choose to serve something or someone else. I’m happy to be able to say that for me and my family, it’s a no brainer! One day with God is better than a zillion without Him. I’m going to be “punching the discipleship card” and reaping God’s rewards “to infinity and beyond”! What about you? It’s your choice…what have you decided?
©2013 Debbie Robus
I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I found a suggestion on Pinterest for rewarding children for good behavior at home. This idea involves a little printed card with blocks for numbers 1-20. We are trying this with Timothy. Each time he deserves to be recognized for what he has done, a number is punched. When all of the blocks on the card have been punched, Timothy gets to pick a “treat” from a box or basket. Everything Timothy needs for growth and survival is provided in our home… food, clothing, shelter, love and nurture, and more. We freely provide all of this for him. But let’s be honest… it’s great when he chooses to behave nicely and honor our nurture and provisions - to play carefully with his toys and put them away when he is done, to use good table manners, and to respond quickly and positively when we ask him to do something!
I tell Timothy and Zola often… “It’s your choice.” But I had to laugh as I read this passage, where it said…”if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.” Often I say to them, “It’s your choice,” and add…”but choose now!” Even at ages four and two, children are able to make simple choices and to understand the outcomes of each option, and there is no sense in prolonging the decision!
From an early age, we learn to make choices. We learn that choices determine the outcome… and some come with consequences. The choices may seem easier when you are two and four… but essentially, they are no different. You know what it means to serve God… you’ve read the scriptures… you’ve seen true Christian discipleship in action. You know that the life of a Christian isn’t always easy… but you also know the rewards – both promised for Eternity, and those here on earth each and every day.
This passage seems a little cold and callous on the surface, but when you boil it all down, it’s really pretty basic. Pick a side. Serve God or serve whoever or whatever you like. But understand what you are in for if you choose to serve something or someone else. I’m happy to be able to say that for me and my family, it’s a no brainer! One day with God is better than a zillion without Him. I’m going to be “punching the discipleship card” and reaping God’s rewards “to infinity and beyond”! What about you? It’s your choice…what have you decided?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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