It’s one thing to make a spectacle of oneself on reality TV; it’s another for God’s people to make a spectacle of him by the way they live.
Ponderings
Devotionals, prayer & insights from my Bible reading
Prayer prompt for Wednesday, Aug. 3
Compromise doesn’t just mean “big” issues. Ask God to reveal some areas in your day-to-day life that need to be overhauled.
Prayer prompt for Tuesday, Aug. 2
When we refuse to compromise, Psalm 125 says that we are like a mountain: immovable! Are you willing to trust the Rock with your problems?
Prayer prompt for Monday, Aug. 1
If we keep compromising on the same issue over & over, have we really, truly repented of it? Or, are we just sorry we got caught?
Prayer prompt for Sunday, July 31
God already knows the answer, but talk to him today about an area where you have compromised. Start by confessing & asking forgiveness.
What would you do for … ? (Prayer devotional for the week of July 31)
Do you remember the jingle from the Klondike® commercials, “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” with people doing silly antics to earn one? What if the stakes were higher than just a square chunk of chocolate-coated ice cream?
What would you do for $100? $1,000? $1,000,000? Would you eat bugs? Would you violate your moral convictions? Would you put your life at risk?
In this age of reality TV, it’s obvious that many people will do just about anything for attention: live in the wilderness for months, subject themselves to public scrutiny and berating, face grueling physical challenges, even marry a virtual stranger. What if the stakes were higher than just a few minutes of television fame or a prize jackpot?
What if the stakes were eternity?
The Amplified Bible translates Psalm 125:3 as: “For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the [uncompromisingly] righteous, lest the righteous (God’s people) stretch forth their hands to iniquity and apostasy.” Uncompromisingly righteous … that seems to mean that people who otherwise live righteously still make unrighteous choices sometimes. We compromise. We give into lesser stakes—but for what? For fame? For glory? For something that feels like love? For a sense of self-worth? For spite?
The Psalm goes on to say, in verse 5, that our “crooked ways” boil down to our indifference toward God. When we compromise, we say to the Lord that we don’t care what he thinks. The Bible is clear that God does not want anyone to perish (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9), but when we turn our backs on him, sometimes he lets us keep walking. Psalm 125 ends with a sobering image of God’s people walking off with evildoers. Is any amount of worldly gain worth separation from God?
Prayer prompt for Saturday, July 30
Do you keep rebuilding your heart-house in the flood zone? What does God have to do to get through to you? Be quiet & listen to his answer.
Prayer prompt for Friday, July 29
Galatians 5 talks about our freedom in Christ. When God rescues us, do we turn right around and build another trap for ourselves?
Prayer prompt for Thursday, July 28
We can build our heart-houses on the beach, or we can build on the Rock. What will it be? Matthew 7:24-27
Prayer prompt for Wednesday, July 27
In what ways do you need to move out of the “flood zone” in life? Are you looking for a bailout from God, or are you willing to change?