Morning Devotional

January 31, 2004

"The Floogie Bird" 

by Don Emmitte

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When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those who are teaching wrong doctrine. Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident. Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord's battles. Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. (1 Timothy 1:3-7, 18-19 NLT). 

One of the GM lines that we sell in our dealership is Cadillac. I needed to go to a meeting not far from here a few days ago and was not familiar with the hotel where the meeting had been scheduled. Being very bad with directions, I asked my secretary to print me a map with directions to the meeting. I decided to drive a Cadillac Escalade demo we have in stock to the meeting and was surprised to see it had a navigational radio installed. I could have used that instead of the hard copy map and directions I got! 

All that was necessary to program the radio to locate and direct you to your destination are your starting location, your destination, and your course. Just follow the directions on the display and you’ll arrive at the correct place!  

Our reading this morning gives instructions to Timothy to direct the course of the church. The same principles apply in our lives individually also. Paul wrote of the importance of holding on to "faith and a good conscience." We can do that by carefully reading and following the directions in God's Word, depending on the Spirit's leading and moment-by-moment help, and listening to the wise counsel of concerned Christian friends.  

Harry S. Truman said, “Men who live in the past remind me of a toy I'm sure all of you have seen. The toy is a small wooden bird called the ‘Floogie Bird.’ Around the Floogie Bird's neck is a label reading, ‘I fly backwards; I don't care where I'm going. I just want to see where I've been.’”  

Don’t be a Floogie Bird! How are you doing? Are you on course or in danger of being lost? Determine right now to live in faith and holiness, staying on course until you are safely home.