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DAILY ENCOUNTER ~ Tuesday, August 29/00 =====================================

by Dick Innes ~ ACTS International http://www.actsweb.org Partnering with NCF Ministries: http://www.ncfliving.org

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[1] WATCH OUT FOR THE PHONIES

“Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono. But they were scheming to harm me” (Nehemiah 6:2, NIV).

When Nehemiah and the Israelites had almost completed rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem several centuries BC, enemies were not happy with their progress and sought to sidetrack Nehemiah and get rid of him. They tried to lure him away from his work with “sweet talk” and invited him to meet them in the Plain of Ono.

But Nehemiah’s reply was, “O no!” He knew their stories were fabricated and that they were lying. Just as well he did, otherwise he would have been destroyed and God’s work frustrated. Nehemiah stuck to the job and didn’t allow himself to be sidetracked from the work of rebuilding the walls of the city — the work God had called him to do.

Whenever we do the work of God, there will always be opposition. The enemy attacks at every opportunity and usually at our most vulnerable places. He is a master of deceit and we, like Nehemiah, need to be aware of his devices.

So, watch out for phony people, phony solutions, and phony sweet talk. Watch out, too, for temptations that can be very appealing and sound very promising — but be equally deceptive. Remember, too, that oft times the good can be the enemy of the best!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me always to live and work in harmony with your will — no matter how great the challenge — and not be sidetracked with tempting offers — no matter how appealing (especially ones that are directed to my ego … or my pocket book.) Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”