Daily Devotional
Children Can See Through Phony Love
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
May 1, 2023
Ponder This
We are to love God supremely. We’re to love Him with sincere love, with all of our hearts. Jesus spoke of people who honored God with their words, but He said, “But their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8). Do you know what your children need to see in your home? They need to see sincere love. They need to see in you a burning, passionate, emotional sincerity when it comes to the things of God. Kids can spot a phony a mile away, and they know whether or not you love God with all of your heart. And it is the phoniness of parents, by and large, that turns kids off to the things of God.
There was a young Jewish boy who lived with his father in Germany. His father was a successful merchant. They had moved from Germany to England. Having always practiced Judaism, the boy was surprised to see his father joined a Lutheran church. That boy asked, “Dad, why did you join a Lutheran church?” And the father said, “Well son we, we live in a different place now and there are so many Lutherans in this particular place in this particular town. It is good for business.” At that moment, that boy, who had a deep interest in religion, lost it all. Kids can spot a phony. You’re to love God with a sincere love.
- What does it look like to be phony in your faith?
- What does it look like to love God with a sincere love?
Practice This
Speak to someone you have seen love God with a sincere love; ask for a word of encouragement or insight on what motivates that person to live with sincere faith.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
