January 20th, 2023
Friday, January 20
As Legitimate As Porcelain Pie
By: Pastor Todd Crofford
When I was a young pastor, I made a visit to an older couple in my church. I had only given them about 2 hours’ notice that I was coming, so I was so pleased when I walked in and smelled apple pie. As we sat in the living room and talked, I could look through the doorway into their kitchen and could see the pie sitting there on the counter. I really got my hopes up that I was about to enjoy an awesome treat.
The longer I stayed, the more I was thinking about it, but they never offered me any. Eventually our conversation wrapped up and I walked into the kitchen to say some final good-byes. That was when I noticed that the supposed apple pie was actually made of ceramic and the smell was coming from an apple pie scented candle sitting nearby. My legitimate hope was dashed when I saw the illegitimate pie.
In a letter, Paul told the church in Galatia that when it came to faith the test of legitimacy was in the actions it birthed. He wrote, “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace… The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. -Galatians 5:4,6 NIV
In other words, we can strive to hold all the right beliefs and not break any of the rules, but if our lives are never filled with God’s love, then our faith is as illegitimate as a porcelain pie. You may look like a Christian to the casual observer, but when someone gets up close they will not see the love of Jesus in us.
Today ask yourself this question, What have I DONE for someone this week that indicates my faith is legitimate?
As Legitimate As Porcelain Pie
By: Pastor Todd Crofford
When I was a young pastor, I made a visit to an older couple in my church. I had only given them about 2 hours’ notice that I was coming, so I was so pleased when I walked in and smelled apple pie. As we sat in the living room and talked, I could look through the doorway into their kitchen and could see the pie sitting there on the counter. I really got my hopes up that I was about to enjoy an awesome treat.
The longer I stayed, the more I was thinking about it, but they never offered me any. Eventually our conversation wrapped up and I walked into the kitchen to say some final good-byes. That was when I noticed that the supposed apple pie was actually made of ceramic and the smell was coming from an apple pie scented candle sitting nearby. My legitimate hope was dashed when I saw the illegitimate pie.
In a letter, Paul told the church in Galatia that when it came to faith the test of legitimacy was in the actions it birthed. He wrote, “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace… The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. -Galatians 5:4,6 NIV
In other words, we can strive to hold all the right beliefs and not break any of the rules, but if our lives are never filled with God’s love, then our faith is as illegitimate as a porcelain pie. You may look like a Christian to the casual observer, but when someone gets up close they will not see the love of Jesus in us.
Today ask yourself this question, What have I DONE for someone this week that indicates my faith is legitimate?
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2023
January
Daily PowerOur Heart MusclesBlessing Our NeighborsStay in the FightTime to ChangeWell, this is Practical!Keep it to YourselfHumility in FastingSupernatural WisdomMore of YouThese Crazy PeopleCrazy PeopleConvictionOverwhelmedAs Legitimate as Porcelain PieHunger For MoreLove the LightA Fulfillment that DeliversSatisfactionContent With What IsHow Great is Our GodEnough
February
The Goodness of GodDaring God's GoodnessParadox of GraceThe God Who Knows It AllDo Good for the Right ReasonsLet Down Your NetWhy Not Me?His Gift is FreeIntegrity Matters to GodThe Gate is NarrowDoes the End Justify the Means?Point to HimWhat is Right is Not Always EasyDying to SelfPricelessAwake, Sleeper!Sunday BurnMake Me HolyAbove All Else Put On LoveSearch Me, Lord
March
Turning EvilForgive But Not Forget?You Can Only Love God As Much...It's Not All About YouOpen HandsAre we giving God what is rightfully His?A Cheerful GiverGod is Pretty SpecificThe Known GodHumble, Not ProudJesus Changes EverythingIt is DifferentCut Me Some SlackFully KnownGood at ExhortationQuenching the SpiritGrace and TruthLife is Not FairGet Back Up AgainAllowancesOrdinary PeopleAt The Feet of JesusThe Throne of Grace
April
Hosanna!The Last StrawEyes Wide OpenSunday's ComingStay the CourseNot EnoughSpeaking BoldlyJesus is AliveDeath's StingEyes to SeeUninvitedThey're Always Together!Fruit ImpressionsToo Many TabsMessy GraceNoticed the UnnoticeableThree PromisesMutually EncouragedLife is not TriedPatiently, With Confidence
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