November 23, 2007
READ: Genesis 27:19-33
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16
When a waitress in Ohio asked to see a customers drivers license, she was shocked when she saw the photo on the ID. It was her own picture! The waitress had lost her drivers license a month earlier, and this young woman was using it so shed have proof she was old enough to drink alcohol. The police were called, and the customer was arrested for identity theft. Trying to gain what she wanted, she pretended to be someone she wasnt.
Jacob, in the Old Testament, did some pretending too. With his mother Rebekahs help, he fooled his dying father into believing he was his brother Esau so he could gain the blessing meant for the elder son (Gen. 27). Jacob got caught after his deceitful act, but it was too late for Esau to receive the blessing.
Pretending goes on in our churches today. Some people put on a false front. They use the right Christian words, attend church almost every Sunday, and even pray before meals. They pretend they have it all together in order to gain the approval of others. But inside theyre struggling with brokenness, guilt, doubt, or an addiction or other persistent sin.
God placed us in a body of believers to support one another. Admit that you arent perfect. Then seek the counsel of a godly brother or sister in Christ.
Happy Thanksgiving Mayor.
Thanks for today’s lesson.
Hope The Mayor family had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. And thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.