Good Morning,

Today the theme of Karen Bennett's devotional is that all the glory belongs to God. To assign it to luck is to create an idol. Anything that is revered more than

God becomes a individual's personal idol. Karen wrote, "We need to be constant in putting God before all things and giving Him the glory......You are God, the only one, and that You are in control of everything. There is no luck. We must learn to always put You first in all things."

Have a weekend filled with God's glory.
Karen

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Today's Devotional

"The 'Lucky' Dollar"

Written by

Karen Bennett

Recently I attended my great grandson’s go kart race. I was shocked at the speeds 11 year olds are racing at, anywhere from 60-65 MPH. All in all, it was very exciting, and I was so proud of him.

One young boy had a spin out early in the second race. That race determined their starting positions for the third and important trophy race. The boy spun out, but got going again and finished in next to last position. His disappointment was obvious, and he was even a bit teary-eyed. He would have to start the trophy race so far back in the group.

The boy’s grandfather was there and felt badly seeing the look of hopelessness on his beloved grandson’s face. He was determined to encourage the boy and began giving him a pep talk. As he talked, he pulled out his wallet and took a dollar bill from it. He told the boy it was his “lucky dollar”; it had always helped him, and it would bring the boy luck as well. Of course, it was made up, but the youngster didn’t know it.

Encouraged by this, the boy took the dollar and headed for his go kart. The second lap into the race, he spun out again. He got himself going and began his effort to catch up to the others. He drove hard, but despite that, he finished in third from last place. He gave the “lucky dollar” back to his grandfather and told him it didn’t work.

I felt so sorry for that boy, but then it finally struck me. In his grandfather’s need to encourage the boy, he gave him hope in a thing. It was telling the boy to place his faith in an object - an idol. Such seemingly innocuous behavior, but what damage it can inflict. If he had won or even placed well, he might have credited the dollar and may have developed a dependency on it for future races. We hear all the time about lucky objects, but think of the possible results. And, there is no such thing as luck!

The very FIRST commandment to us from God is...

“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”

Deuteronomy 5:7.

We need to teach our children to place their faith and trust in God, not in objects or even other people.

It’s important for us as Christians to avoid telling those kinds of tales. The damage done could easily become permanent. The evil one is given another thing to work on. Encouraging “idols” before God, always pushing God back a place or two, or not even thinking of Him at all is something for which God won’t stand for.

“I am the Lord; that is my name!

I will not give my glory to another

or my praise to idols,”

Isaiah 42:8.

We need to be constant in putting God before all things and giving Him the glory.

Father, help us be more conscious of things we say...to our youth in particular. We may not mean any harm by it, but they could be misled and hurt. We don’t want to do anything that would steer them from You. Help us to teach them that You are God, the only one, and that You are in control of everything. There is no luck. We must learn to always put You first in all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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"TO GOD BE THE GLORY"