Let’s Be Real
This new year has begun like none of the Blythe Family would have expected. As many of you know on Dec 19th, Sis. Rita was taken to the hospital due to extensive hemorrhaging. The details of this situation could fill a book but we are still trusting the Lord to work this out for our good and for His glory.
On Christmas Day, we wanted to stay close to Sis. Rita because of her continued hemorrhaging risk. So December 25th found us walking through the door of a Chinese restaurant. Why Chinese? It was the only thing open on that day! Something occurred while in that restaurant that inspired this first devotion for 2020.
Counterfeit
With the sounds of Chinese music in the background, many thoughts swirled through my mind concerning this unexpected trial. We were scheduled to leave back on the road for a New Year’s revival but it was becoming very clear that this was not going to happen. My attention was soon drawn to the young Chinese boy behind the cash register. He had just taken our money and was proceeding to mark the $20 bill with a special marker. He explained that they had recently received a large sum of counterfeit bills and were now verifying everything. What he didn’t know was that this very subject was already in the works for our devotion today.
According to the US Treasury, an estimated $70 million in counterfeit bills are in circulation. This means that right now someone (maybe you), has money in their wallet or purse that is absolutely worthless. Counterfeiting is a federal crime, and counterfeiters are given up to 20 years in prison or up to a $250,000 fine. I can see folks scrambling to check their cash right now.
Counterfeit money looks good to the eye and even has a perceived sense of value. It may fool a multitude of people, but there will come a time when it will put it to the test. In our Christian life, we will also be put to the test. What should the world see during this test?
Real Faith
As we sit here in Oklahoma, my thoughts drift to all of the people who have heard The Blythe Family talk of the goodness of God during our revival services. We have told people that God would be faithful in the middle of their trials. Now the heat of our trial has been turned up and everyone is watching. Not one of us would have chosen this route, but as someone told us in wisdom, “God may be leading you through the hospital for Him to get more glory”. Can the glory of God’s faithfulness shine through in a hospital?
When Sis. Rita was first admitted into the hospital, Sandy was walking the hallways and an elderly woman stopped her. “Ma’am are you a Christian?” Sandy gladly told her that she was. “Would you please come and pray for my husband? He has cancer in his spine and the Dr said he wont be able to move his legs.” Sandy and mom went into the room and had a season of prayer for this couple. The next day, the woman found them again. “Oh! Could you please come back and pray for my husband again and see what has happened!” When they got to the room, the man lifted one leg completely and was moving his other foot.
A nurse named Maggie in that same hospital informed them that she was an atheist. She was just beginning to believe in a God but she couldn’t find peace. In observing how Sis. Rita, Mom, and Sandy were handling the news of possible cancer, she remarked: “I just can’t believe how peaceful you ladies are!” Sis. Rita spoke up and told Maggie: “You too can have this same peace!” When Maggie asked, How? Sis. Rita and Mom began to witness to her about Jesus. Praise God for a real experience that can shine through the darkest trial of our faith!
Real Value
The wonderful thing about being real is that it never loses value. If you have a $20 bill that was printed in 1920, it still retains the same value right now in 2020. In fact, it is more valuable with one such bill being recently sold for $22,000!
There was a dear saint in our part of the country named Bro. L.D. Moore. This faithful minister came down with Alzheimer’s disease and everyone would tell you that his mind was gone. In spite of this terrible affliction, Bro. Moore still had a real experience with his God. One day, a lady went to visit him who was very discouraged in her role as the church choir director. She felt that she was getting too old and needed to give it up to someone younger. Without mentioning this burden, she visited with the family as Bro Moore sat silently in his chair. As she was preparing to leave, Bro. Moore suddenly began to speak: “Young lady!” She stopped. “The Lord says to tell you not to give up that choir!” From an elderly man who could barely hold a conversation, came a word from God to someone who desperately needed it.
Friend, if your experience with God is real, He has placed His mark upon you. Even if you feel torn, crumpled, bruised or battered, the mark of a real Christian is still there! Far greater than any US President’s face, His image is being displayed in the details of your life. You have something of great value that God wants to use. Just be real!