ODB: beware the rupert
August 18, 2009
READ: 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 12-15
Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. —2 Corinthians 11:14
In the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Europe, an armada of Allied ships assaulted the beaches of Normandy, France. Simultaneously, thousands of airplanes dropped paratroopers into the action. Along with the paratroopers, the Allies also dropped hundreds of rubber dummies behind the enemy lines. Called “Ruperts,” these dummies were intended to simulate an attack to confuse the enemy. As the Ruperts landed, some German outposts were tricked into fighting the “paradummies,” creating a vital crack in the walls of Fortress Europe.
We accept that kind of deception as part of a legitimate military operation designed to thwart oppressive forces. What we should not accept is the deception Satan throws our way. Paul explained that the devil “transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), and his servants appear to be people who are promoting righteousness (v.15).
We must be alert! Our spiritual enemy would love to have followers of Christ distracted by false teaching and faulty doctrine. But as we keep our eyes on Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture, our Lord can keep us aimed in the right direction.
Don’t be tricked by Satan’s Ruperts. — Bill Crowder
God’s truth uncovers Satan’s lies.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...ODJ: get going
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (v.12).
READ: Philippians 3:7-14
Every spring, we plant nearly 40 tomato plants. Every fall, when we find that we have more tomatoes than we can possibly eat, can, or turn into sauce or salsa, we give lots away to grateful friends and family. It makes me wonder, however, why our thankful recipients—lovers of tomatoes that they are—don’t grow even one plant of their own? It’s not appropriate to say that they’re lazy, for they work hard in other pursuits. So I think it’s simply a case of inertia. Despite hearty appetites for tomatoes, they never get around to doing anything about it.
How much of our lives are mediocre because of inertia? We would like to pray more, enjoy deeper intimacy in our marriages and friendships, take more outings with our children, read more books, find a more satisfying job, eat better, and exercise more—but we never actually do anything about it. So we continue to coast, settling for the way things are now rather than working toward what they could be.
I’m challenged by Paul, who—being far more mature in his spiritual walk—humbly declared, “I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:13-14).
What area of your life would you like to move beyond mediocrity? If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’re likely to get what you’ve always gotten. So make a change. Go ahead—pursue a stronger marriage or better parenting or a closer walk with God. What steps can you take in that direction? First commit your goal to God in prayer. Then write it down. Now go do it—and press on! —Mike Wittmer
What area of your life most needs work? What will it take for you to do something about it?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Latest Comments