Do you speak deceptively to make yourself look good?

 21 Jun 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One

Readings:

Esther 1

Esther 2

Esther 3

Acts 5:1-16

These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19). 

Do you speak deceptively to make yourself look good?

Ananias and Sapphira are contrasted to Barnabas in the Book of Acts. He is noted for his generosity (Acts 4:34-37). Luke writes about him, “having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). Conversely, the satanically influenced couple concocts a hypocritical plan, which costs them their lives (Acts 5:1-10). God hates “a lying tongue,” which literally means “a tongue of deception” (Proverbs 6:17). We need to speak truth and not craft words to manipulate people to think highly of us. 

Employment Point: Avoid deceiving others with a deceptive tongue.

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Reflections

I guess if we have to lie to make people like us or think differently of us, we are not being authentic. Even if they do like us, they are liking a version that is not us. On this point, I am who you know I am and I am ok if people do not like me because we all have options to choose and none of us is perfect. What is acceptable to me may not be acceptable to you. I try to be as authentic as I can be and also try not to hide anything. My past I cannot change so do not judge. If you want, you can walk with me to the future.

““Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.”Esther‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬, ‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Many women who call for gender equality in these days, may likely object to this rule. But I believe this is not so much about letting men lord over the women, but more of men should be the lord of the house. In fact, this is what the bible teaches as well. The men are to be the head of the household and the women are to submit to him. But this is not to be confused that the women having to blindly follow whatever things it may be as a command from the men. This is more like a thing that is done out of respect and love for each other for the couples. Women are not meant to lord over the family. It will cause great chaos

“Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• if not for Vashti’s rejection of the king’s invitation, Esther would not even have this opportunity to be queen. Often times, we have no idea how our obedience or rejection will lead to other implications. Or perhaps, it is the Lord’s doing in effecting a change. We cannot know for sure. But continue to trust in Him. He knows best.

“During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.”Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• it is not just Esther who is there for a time like this. Seems like it is the case for Mordecai too. The king is blessed.

“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.”Esther‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• This is the kind of scary people we meet. We not only want honour, power and attention but breeds ideas of murder. This is like a typical devil’s child and everything our enemy wished we are. Power hungry, materialistic, ambitious and chasing after the success of this world.
• May we be reminded in this process that our focus is never in this world but in the treasures of heaven.

“With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• This Is temptations and being covetous of the things that was not theirs in the first place. All things come from the Lord and it is of His own that we give Him. It is bad enough if one lies to men. This couple, had the audacity to lie to the living God. It was something that all agreed to and doing such a thing just shows a person’s character. No integrity or honesty. Would the Lord not know? Would we think we can hide anything from the Lord? There is no way we can hide. So, don’t try. No need to waste time and effort to try to prove the bible wrong.

“At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• I think it’s a good thing that there is still fear. Because it meant that the Lord still means something in their hearts. They are not as faithless as they seemed to be. All thanks be to God.

“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• when the Lord is with us, whatever works we embark on will succeed. In Peter’s case, the Lord granted him so much favour with men, that even his shadows can bring healing to them.

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The Ministry of the Inner Life

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

June 21

You are…a royal priesthood… —1 Peter 2:9

By what right have we become “a royal priesthood”? It is by the right of the atonement by the Cross of Christ that this has been accomplished. Are we prepared to purposely disregard ourselves and to launch out into the priestly work of prayer? The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God. Until we get into this right and proper relationship with God, it is simply a case of our “hanging on by the skin of our teeth,” although we say, “What a wonderful victory I have!” Yet there is nothing at all in that which indicates the miracle of redemption. Launch out in reckless, unrestrained belief that the redemption is complete. Then don’t worry anymore about yourself, but begin to do as Jesus Christ has said, in essence, “Pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men.” Pray with the realization that you are perfect only in Christ Jesus, not on the basis of this argument: “Oh, Lord, I have done my best; please hear me now.”

How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves? We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves, until there is no longer any surprise at anything God might tell us about ourselves. We cannot reach and understand the depths of our own meagerness. There is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus. Once we are there, we have to pour out our lives for all we are worth in this ministry of the inner life.

Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42

WISDOM FROM OSWALD

We never enter into the Kingdom of God by having our head questions answered, but only by commitment.

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Reflections

After we ourselves are saved, we cannot remain complacent and think that He will just automatically also save our family. Yes salvations belongs to Him but we also need to do our parts. We need to remember we are all made new and will have to start living the risen life. We can no longer live in our past or continue with the bad habits. Haven born again means that the Holy Spirit will convict us of the things that we need to give up, change or learn.

Many times we expect certain things from the Lord. We basically treat Him like an auto-teller machine. When we feel like it we go to Him to ask for favours and for help. Other days we go about doing our own things and couldn’t care less about the Lord. Ok, maybe once a week we go attend church but that’s it. Sometimes we really take Him for granted and don’t even feel shy about it.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• this bible verse reminds us that we need to rejoice, regardless of our circumstances. In everything, there is always something we can give thanks for.
• We are also to pray continually.. not just in the morning or the evening. Not just saying grace for food. But to keep praying continually, throughout the day, every single day. Prayers are our communication with the Lord. If we don’t pray, we are like giving Him a cold shoulder and basically also sending the signal that we are not interested. 

Let’s pray:

So yes, let’s persevere and continue with prayers. Always rejoicing in the Lord and also giving God the glory. Remember not to take Him for granted and continue to give Him thanks for everything.  Thank You O Lord. For your grace and peace that is upon us. In Jesus’s name we ask and pray. Amen 🙏🏻