"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect" (1 Corinthians 15:10). "Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God." (2 Corinthians 4:2a).

I have a file I have kept for many years I call "fluff". It contains appeals that either puff up someone else's personal image or offers methods intended to inflate your own (almost always for a fee).

These include embellished resumes, misleading biographical backgrounds, inflated educational attainments and bogus credentials. My all-time favorite is an appeal I saw many years ago to be an "ordained minister" and "doctor" available through mail-order. Out of curiosity and to check the legitimacy of the claim I filled out the form and sent it in for my dog. I was curious as to what kind of screening or background checks they did. But within a couple of weeks my dog, Enoch, received a certificate with his new title, Rev. Enoch Weber.  It has an embossed gold seal and is actually quite impressive looking. He could have been a doctor too but that costs $25.00!

Similar appeals arrive practically every day through the internet.  Due to the anonymity of our age and the pressure to succeed these offers have expanded. As I prepare this message our own area is embroiled in a controversy in this regard and it was the front page article in last night's paper.

The apostle Paul makes a simple statement in the daily text regarding his approach, "we do not use deception." He acknowledged in an earlier verse that "by the grace of God I am what I am."  May God grant us all a sense of worth based upon His love for us and not whatever way we may impress others. 

A commentary on this renders the meaning of the second verse, "We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God."

That's the kind of disciple I want to be and I encourage each reader to do likewise. May it be said of us, "We do not use deception!"


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer – Lord Jesus, I'm so glad You came to seek and to save that which was lost.  I was lost without hope until I experienced Your life transforming grace in my life.  Receiving Your grace was not without effect, but rather it has changed me through and through and continues to do so. I made the decision to trust You and in all my ways acknowledge You.  I no longer feel the need to be someone I'm not.  Instead I've learned to appreciate what You are making of my life.  I offer myself as a living sacrifice to You so that You can manifest Yourself through me.  May my life be a reflection of Your redemptive plan as I intersect with a world that is perishing. Jesus, You are merciful and You will save any who call upon Your name! 

Note from Brooksyne – Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of praying with a young man, 20 years old, to receive Christ as his personal Savior.  He also has a cocaine addiction and desperately wants to overcome.  I know he would appreciate your prayers.

The full "testimony" of our dog Enoch is here.