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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: In and Out (04/30/09)
Have you ever heard the expression, “On the outside looking in”?

This is a feeling that most people experience and we as Christians must be sensitive to. We must be aware that we are outside of the world and will be looking into the daily lives of people who unknowingly follow the father of lies. When coworkers brag of their weekend exploits, or when we know we could afford that special item our neighbors have if we didn't tithe this week, we cannot succumb to the temptation to follow suit.

If we give in to those temptations, we are giving in to the lie. Make that “The Lie”. The Lie that our lives will be better if we have that thing or experience that sensation. The Lie that it's okay to do what the people around us are doing. The Lie that, “Oh just this once” is just fine. The Lie that God will not care since He will just forgive us anyway.

It is important not only for us, but for the very people who live The Lie. You see, just as we are on the outside of the world looking in, they are on the outside of the cross looking in. Whenever we give in to these things, it does not go unnoticed. It is our purpose to see that our neighbors experience the relationship with Him that we have. If we show them that the relationship that we have with The Lie is acceptable, we have lost a huge battle.

Jesus also was on the outside looking in. He was on the cross, outside of Heaven and looking into Hell. He spent three days in the pit to pay for our sins. It brings tears to my eyes to think of what the enemy did to Him for three days. Three days in Hell, to pay for sin. Your sin. My sin. The sins of humanity, beginning to end. Do you want to make that price higher than it needs to be? Do you still believe that God doesn't care since He will just forgive us anyway? His grace has no bounds, but that does not mean He grants it thoughtlessly.

Next time that you are on the outside looking in and temptation is getting a grip on you, please remember that our treasure is in heaven. Remember that all that you have here on this earth is fleeting, and not one speck of your material worth will enter heaven with you. We are to be the bride of Christ, and there is no bliss on this earth that is worth forfeiting that.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
05/08/09
Very good devotional, and good use of the topic words.

You can inject a spark into your devotionals by adding a personal story or anecdote. Readers will relate to those.

This is well-organized and well-written.
Yvonne Blake 
05/14/09
Interesting thoughts!
this is a good devotional, but a short example, an incident, would emphasize it more. Keep writing.