Looks Can Be Deceiving - Daily Devotional December 22nd, 2009

Daily Bible Reading - Job 29-30, Zechariah 6-7, Revelation 3-4

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Remember the old saying do not judge a book by its cover? Well unfortunately all to often in the church world that is exactly what happens. We look at a building or the amount of people a church has and we think it must be the most life giving church ever. Or we look at a small church and think that there must be something wrong with that pastor. As a church planter now for the past 10 months I have to admit that I am always looking for ways to grow my church but fast growth does not always mean good growth.

If just look at the natural example of the fast booming housing market that existed at the end of the 90's up until about late 2005 everyone would agree that fast growth in equity turned out not to be such a good thing. I remember my house that I bought in San Diego nearly doubled in value in a matter of 2 years. Luckily for me I sold that house at the peak, because just last year it was worth less than what I had originally bought it for. Everyone was looking at the housing boom saying wow look at how awesome this is, but now those same people are wondering what in the world happened. The theory is true, just as fast as things grow they die.

This principle of not judging a book by its cover or looks can be deceiving is talked about throughout the book of Revelations. Revelation 3:1-2, "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God". This writing is about a church that everyone would look at and say wow that church is alive but in actuality it is dead according to God's standards. One of my mentors once told me, "Ben do not worry about the fast big growth but go for the slow steady growth because after all a 500lb toddler is not a healthy toddler and the same is true of a church". We must look beyond the surface and look at the character of that church and it's leadership in order to see how healthy and alive the church really is.

The Spirit of the Lord comes and challenges this church in the same chapter. He tells the church to "wake up" and the to go back and "strengthen" that which is about to die so that they can become the alive church that everyone thinks they are. I hear this challenge not only for this church or churches at large but also for individuals. I hear the voice of God challenging us to not just be judged by what people see on the outside but by what is really taking place on the inside of our hearts. I hear the voice of God saying "wake up" and strengthen yourself and be the Christ follower you claim to be. Do not fake do not pose but be a man and women of God. I hear the voice of God challenging me for 2010 to make alive that which is dead in me and to come alive to the purpose and plan God has for my life.

What about you?

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Job 31-32, Zechariah 8, Revelation 5-6

Dream Big
Ben