Blog Entries tagged 'assumption'

In The Wrong Crowd

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:00:00 +0100

People will accept others as 'Facebook Friends' and yet would not necessarily align their beliefs or behaviours with theirs.

Genesis 14:1-24

Reference: v.12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. (NIV Bible)

Explore: As teenagers we are often advised to be careful with who we associate ourselves with. If we are caught hanging out in the wrong crowd then it is assumed we are behaving the same way. Our connections and associations impact the perceptions of others. Facebook has added an interesting dimension to our associations. People will accept others as 'Facebook Friends' and yet would not necessarily align their beliefs or behaviours with theirs. Do we only associate with those who are similar to us? Or do we open our 'friendship' circles to everyone and anyone?

Application: Lot was seen to be connected to the people of Sodom because he was living in close proximity to them. Therefore, when Sodom was seized so too was Lot and all his possessions. People will make assumptions and draw conclusions about us according to who we associate ourselves with. While this was detrimental in Lot's situation, often people will 'name-drop' a popular name into conversation so they are perceived to be well connected. Either way, our connections do have an impact on who we are. If we continually associate ourselves with aggressive, power-hungry people it will not only rub off on our name but maybe on to our character as well. If we position ourselves to associate with people who are encouraging, supportive and caring people then it is bound to rub off on our name and character as well. Our associations have an impact not only on other people's perceptions but also on our own characters.

Prayer: Lord, the more we know you the more Your character rubs off on us. May we be a positive associate for others. Amen.

Who are some people that you aspire to associate with?

Beyond Expectations

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

We can not expect to always understand who God is, He is beyond our understanding.

Matthew 2.1-12

Reference: v. 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Explore: In 2001 I went on a minister's leadership trip to the USA to visit churches and hear the stories of people ministering there. We did a lot of traveling from one church to another but every church was very hospitable and went out of their way to see to our needs. There was one church we visited in the late afternoon and our leader had asked if it was possible for them to provide us with tea. The church facilitator questioned this but after it was confirmed that the group would like tea they prepared it for us. When we arrived at the church they had a large table with a huge array of drinks on it. There was brewed coffee, teabags, soft drinks, water, juice... the whole table was filled with drinks. Of course, when our team leader had asked for tea he had meant an evening meal, yet when the American's had heard the word 'tea' they thought only of the drink. Even though we both spoke English our words had different meanings.
When King Herod heard that the 'king of the Jews' had been born he thought this meant only one thing: his seat on the throne was in jeaporady. He went to great lengths to eliminate this baby who would become 'a ruler' and yet He had no need to worry about his place on his earthly throne.

Application: We often have certain expectations on God as well. While Herod expected the Messiah to take his place of authority, we often expect our Heavenly Father to take away all our pain and suffering. However, we have misunderstood the place of God. We can not expect to always understand who God is, He is beyond our understanding. And every time we try to fix Him into a particular design we limit His majesty to our own human mind. We can easily misunderstand God's intentions and God's words when we filter them through our own minds. We need to realise that God will always be the all powerful, all knowing, ever present diety and while we may not understand we must continue to learn about Him and strive to be more like Him as best we can.

Prayer: Lord, you are truly beyond our expectations. I will try not to limit your majesty by my basic understanding. Continue to reveal yourself to us each and every day. Amen.

Negative assumptions

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:08:33 +0100

Even though Nahash had shown kindness to David, his son decided for himself

2 Samuel 10.1-19

Reference: v. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Hahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father.

Explore: I don’t believe in generation gaps. I think that everyone should be addressed as an individual according to their personality, not their age. And so here we find David addressing Hanun in remembrance of the favour that his father showed David. And yet Hanun was clearly swayed by his nobles than his father and decided to reject David’s sympathy offering rather than receive it in peace.

Application: There are many churches that struggle with the old verses the young. There are constant battles over really “important” things like pews, music and clothing!! And yet it is an ‘ism’ that has emerged just like racism and sexism: through not knowing each other you can put the other group down as much as you like. In this passage we’ve read Hanun has not got to know David like his father did but made an assumption based on David’s race and position. We all make decisions about other people but as we can see from this story it’s important to be more like Nahash rather than Hanun and know people before you make judgment on them.

Prayer: Lord, while our world is becoming more multicultural we still see strong evidence of racism. If we start breaking down barriers we will see that everyone is a child of God and made in your image. Help us to make wise and honourable decisions so that we can share your love with everyone. Amen.