Thursday, January 16th

Many of us have heard Pastor Tony Hutson's famous message, "The Real Thing".  He vividly proclaims his preferences of "real" things as opposed to imitations.  He gives examples like butter as opposed to margarine, homemade biscuits as opposed to "wappum" (canned" biscuits), and most importantly, the real relationship with Christ as opposed to phony Christianity.  That's the topic of today's devotion, Phony Christianity.

In our Beautiful Girlhood meetings, it was such a riot to watch all of you giggle and watch expectantly as we viewed Anne of Green Gables together.  All of you were pulling for Mr. Gilbert Blythe, weren't you?  Girls are naturally drawn to beautiful love stories.  It's in our nature.  Did you know that it's in God's nature, too?  You see, the Bible tells us of a beautiful love story that HE wrote in the book of Genesis.  Not Adam and Eve, though their story was written by Him and was amazing; not Abraham and Sarah, even though they also had a precious love for one another.  No, this story is of Isaac and Rebekkah.  Isaac was Abraham's beloved son, the one he'd been given when he was a hundred years old.  Abraham wanted a bride for Isaac that would share his culture, so he asked his servant to go back to his homeland and, with the help of God, seek a wife for Isaac.  For those of you who don't know the story, it is found in Genesis 24. 

So, here's the servant, Eliezer, who's traveled to Mesopotamia and who has asked God specifically to provide a sign to him about the young lady that would be the bride for Isaac.  Just as Eliezer prayed, it happened.  A young lady comes to the well to draw water.  Eliezer greets her and asks for water.  She obliges and offers him a cool drink, but then goes a step further and provides drink for his camels too.  Understand that for Rebekkah to water the camels, she made many trips back and forth to the well---unknowingly.  She did it for hospitality's sake. 

"Mrs. Kim, I'm confused, I thought we were talking about phony Christianity."  We are, but I wanted to use one of the most beautiful love stories in the Bible to get your attention.  You see, Rebekkah was unknowingly serving the one who would bring her to her Prince Charming.  She wasn't faking being a kind, loving, obedient girl.  She served when she thought it was just a lowly stranger.  She had no idea of the family he represented or the young man who was anxiously waiting for their return. 

What would have happened if Rebekkah had been a phony?  You know what I mean.  In front of the adults, smiles and sweet submission to authority; but, apart from spiritual, watchful eyes, rebellious and mean-spirited. 

Girls, be real.  If you're not genuinely tender-hearted and obedient, don't be a fake.  Get your hearts right today while the Lord is drawing you into a REAL reflection of His character. 


Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 16
Philemon 1