“Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.” 1 Peter 2:1 CSB
Today is a very special day. Today is the birthday of this groups founder, Heather Seidnitzer. I would like to take a moment to honor her with words, then explain why I chose this scripture for today.
I met Heather through church. She was one of my group leaders when I was a group coordinator. That is how our friendship started. Eventually she helped me out by being a group coach, which I desperately needed. We found through those experiences, we work well together. One of my favorite things about Heather is how she challenges me. I love her questions. They always make me stop and think. They always draw me closer to Jesus as I wrestle through them. Neither of us had a clue what this group would look like in January. But God has been leading us together on this journey. Growing our relationship with Him, with each other, and with all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, we all wish you a very special birthday Heather! May it be the beginning of an exceptionally blessed year for you!
Heather’s birthday happens to fall into the part of the month where we are attacking deception. As I thought about Heather, I thought about how I know she deals with deception. She doesn’t have time for it. She likes everything out in the open and up front. A very admirable quality to have. Sometimes though, when you’re ridding yourself of deception it can be painful. It can be challenging to recognize the truth about a situation, about a person, even about yourself.
How do you rid yourself of deception?
By illuminating your life with Jesus. By letting His light be the one to shine into the darkness. One way to practically do it is with God’s word. Psalm 119:105, a well known verse, tells us His word is a lamp unto our feet. For instance, His word is what has been and is leading Heather and I in this group. Heather’s obedience to growing her faith started this group. We’ve been praying through the topics each month. We talk about ways we can love and care for everyone in the group. We pray for ways to connect you to each other. His word has been a lamp to our feet as we’ve journeyed through the first part of this year. We’re trying to shine His light so brightly, there is no darkness. It is a journey of faith, one in which each day is a growing experience. A new opportunity to seek His truth and dispel any deception we might be believing, whether it is about ourselves, someone else or a situation.
Let’s do it again today with this prayer:
“Lord, your word is a light unto our feet (Psalm 119:105 CSB). We pray today it rids us of all deceit, all malice, all hypocrisy, envy and slander (1 Peter 2:1 CSB). Let us live our lives in the brightness of You. Let us live it in truth, starting with the greatest truth of all: Your love for us is unconditional and never ending. Bless Heather in a very special way today. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
