Daily Devotional
The Hollywood Star Who Was a “Cardboard Christian”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”
Matthew 23:27
September 1, 2020
Ponder This
I read an article one time about Art Linkletter. Everyone in America knew and would recognize Art Linkletter, a man who for 40 years on stage, screen and television had entertained millions. Art Linkletter said he was a professing Christian. But one day he had a great tragedy—his daughter took her life. He really needed help.
In a hotel lobby in San Francisco, he met with some young people who were on-fire Christians. There was no pretense with them, no holds barred. It came time to pray, and those young people got down on their knees in that hotel lobby. And Art Linkletter got down on his knees with them in this public place. He said,
I looked around and hoped no one would recognize me. But I was on my knees only a second when I no longer cared what anyone else thought. Until that time, I was self-sufficient. I thought I didn’t need anybody. I thought of myself as being a good person. But I was a cardboard Christian. I humbled myself before God, got on my knees, broke through to God, and met reality.
Our world is sick and tired of make-believe, cardboard Christians. It hungers for reality, not hypocrisy. The greatest argument for Christ—and the greatest argument against Christ—is the life of a Christian!
Practice This
There have always been hypocrites. There always will be. But how wonderful to know Jesus Christ—to serve and love Him with reality in your heart. Jesus devoted the 6th chapter of Matthew to the problem of hypocrites. Examine your heart. Would you have knelt and prayed in that hotel lobby?
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.’”
