Devotional Blog - Wednesday, January 4th

Daily Devotional for Wednesday, January 4th

The Discipline of God

“In a moment, you can lose it all. A moment of dishonesty, a moment of carelessness, a moment when you decide to do something other than what you said you would do, any of these could be the moment you lose it all. Now, you have to decide how you will be among the people you serve who are affected by your commitment or lack, thereof. Integrity. It is not an option. It’s a requirement.” (To my students)—-Memoirs of a Missionary, Glen Knight

A lesson learned early in ministry is the importance of doing what you say you will do. People will respond favorably when they see that characteristic in their leaders. This is true of any circumstance, at every level. We all need to know that we can count on leaders to be faithful to their word. Promises made should be considered as promises kept, from the start. Sadly, this isn’t very often the case. The days when a person’s word was a bond, seem to be past. Lies are easily told. But all lies will eventually be exposed and there are consequences to be served when trust is broken. Consider it in your family. Think of this also in the church where you worship. And what about in the government? The text of our devotional emphasizes the folly of lying to God. It seemed to have been a thing of little consequence when a commitment was made and then walked back in a lie. “The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips” (Proverbs 12:13). Lest the evil of lying spread further and affect others in the church, God dealt sternly with Ananias and Sapphira.