Daily Devotionals
Devotional: April 22nd
In having to replace my computer I decided to replace my inkjet printer from a Lexmark to a Hewlett Packard. When I bought my new printer I did not buy replacement cartridges for it for that first time when I ran out of ink. I tried to rectify that by going to WalMart and buying the cartridges there. Just yesterday I got a real surprise when time came to replace my used cartridges.
I opened the tri colored cartridge first. As I opened one end of the package I noticed that the flap was glued tightly shut. When I examined the contents of the package, which clearly looked like new packaging, I saw an opened plastic envelope inside. The contents of the envelope was a used black inkjet cartridge. Either an employee had rifled one during stocking procedures or a customer had returned one after carefully making the change.
The whole point is it looked like it was new and it was with the new stuff so I bought it. I have done that before. I once bought a package of Hanes tee shirts only to find that the tees inside were three well worn used shirts that weren't even Hanes; they were Fruit of the Loom. I have even bought brand new golf shoes and found them to have mud in their spikes and residue along the sole from where they had been worn.
Buyer beware! What looks new ain't necessarily so. Something can have the packaging that is nice and fresh but inside be filled with something used up and wasted. Same with people. Not everybody is as they seem. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Matthew 7:15 There are those for whom being a Christian is a hustle, an angle.
Even Jesus understood this. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophecied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.' " Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus' advice in Matthew 7:16 is to check their fruit. Open the package and check the contents.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.