Theme:   Everyone - Where Everyone is Wanted and Everyone is Needed

Read: Proverbs 4:19 (NIV);  Proverbs 14:25 (The Message); 1 Timothy 1:12-16 (The Message); James 5:16 (NIV)

Think:  Pastor Rick Enloe visited from Gig Harbor this weekend, with a hip western shirt and cool eyeglasses, he spoke today about truth….then he fled the building!!  Just kidding.   

What I appreciated about Pastor Rick’s message was that he acknowledged that truth telling, or rather lack thereof, is not reserved for those who don’t know God.  Each and every one of us are tempted and lured by the “no one will ever know” voice. It often speaks quietly to us as we see that we were undercharged for our meal but chose to say nothing, or maybe we call in sick to work while enjoying a day in the infrequent sun in the Northwest. 

Sometimes our deceptions may be larger, and the “no one will ever know” voice, turns to “I must hide my actions and cover my tracks”.  The false face that Rick spoke of today is now fully in place.   We manipulate those around us to keep the lie from being exposed; all the while pretending on the outside that all is OK, but knowing on the inside that we have violated something.  As a Christian we would call it sin, but even someone not connected to Christ would acknowledge that a violation of some sort has occurred. 

I love the Apostle Paul’s honesty in the reading from 1 Timothy today….

”I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.”

Paul, who zealously persecuted and imprisoned believers, and prior to his conversion consented to the death of Stephen, was used greatly by God to preach the Good News of Christ to the gentiles.  Imagine for a moment if Paul had tried to deny or cover up his past.  As painful as the truth was, it was that truth that allowed others to see and understand the true love of Christ…”And now he shoes me off - evidence of his endless patience-to those who are right on the edge of trusting Him forever”.

Where do you need to have the truth exposed?  Where are you hiding in darkness? Are you willing to trust God, that like Paul, He can use your truth to not only bring you cleansing and healing, but also bring others into His grace and mercy?

Do:  Do you have someone in your life that you can trust with your real you?  The one that isn’t perfect, the one that tries and fails at times?  If you do, fantastic.  As Pastor Rick taught, God desires us to be in fellowship with one another, but to do so requires us to be truthful first.  Examine where you might be living a lie (no matter how small).  Look for someone you can trust to share your truth with.  If you are comfortable, ask them to pray with you for God’s forgiveness and cleansing. 

Pray:  Father I desire to walk in Your light, not in darkness. I desire to be in fellowship with You.  I desire to have a pure heart, to be used by You for Your kingdom and glory.  You know me and love me in spite of my sin.  I desire to live a real life, not a fake life.  Give me the courage to share the real me, the imperfect me, the one that needs You me, with those you have placed around me.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen. 

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.