Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 "Don't Get Punk'd"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, July 8^th, 2009

Title: Don’t Get Punk’d

Text: Mark 13:5-6 (NIV)

⁵Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.

A few years ago there was a television show that swept pop culture and seemed to be on everyone’s Watch List. The host was none other than megastar Ashton Kutcher and the popular television show was MTV’s “Punk’d”. The entire premise of the show was to trick people into thinking they were either in trouble or had done something illegal or some other thing that would basically cause the poor sap that was being punked to come just seconds away from having a panic attack, thinking they were really in trouble. But each time, just as the subject of the prank was about to begin crying like a baby, Ashton Kutcher would jump out and reveal the fact that the person had just been “PUNK’D!” They would all hug, laugh it off and finally the punked person would look into the camera and utter those infamous words, “I’m (Fill in the Blank) and I just got punked.” All the while the deceptive caste of funny people would mock them from the background.

I can remember thinking to myself that I just could believe how easily the people were deceived. I thought that it had to be set up, the person must have been really simple-minded and that I would never be tricked by something like that. Or would I? It seems that every time I turn around someone else is being sucked into to something that they should have just known better to have gotten involved in. Everything from throwing money at some Get Rich Quick business opportunity to how to drop 20lbs in 2-weeks by just sitting on your couch for only $39.99. It just seems that human nature tends to make us easy targets by those who are slick enough pull us into their trap.

The same fate could happen to each of us who call ourselves “Christians” if we are not careful. I’m not talking about getting punked by Ashton Kutcher or becoming the victim of some crazy TV show. Instead, I am speaking of putting our faith in something or someone other than Jesus. As we see in today’s text from Mark 13, Jesus warns us to keep our eyes open and our minds sharp and not become the next victim of the “Deceiver”. Our world is full of those who announce that they come in the name of Jesus and are only interested in doing the work of God. But many use that as a disguise to draw us in and away from the true purpose that God has for each of us. And before we know, we have been punked and are no longer walking in the Light of Jesus Christ, but instead we stride step for step with those of the world.

But fear not! Those who seek to deceive us and pull Christ Followers away from the safety, security and impactful life that is found is Christ will have no luck in punking those who stay connected to the truth found in God grace, the fellowship of others who find their way by walking in the brilliant Light of Christ and understand that the only real life is that life found in the presence of our God who is passionately in love with each of us. So keep your eyes open and your mind sharp. There is someone other than Ashton Kutcher who is out to get you. Just don’t get punked!

Something to Think About:

• Have you ever been punked? How?
• Have you ever punked someone else? How?
• How can you keep from being deceived in your walk with Jesus?
• How can you help other keep from being deceived in their walk with Jesus?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, As I walk through a world that thrives on instant gratification, get rich quick schemes, fast food and promises of faster fixes, please fill me with your spirit and strength to stay connected to you and away from the schemes of those who may deceive me. Reveal to me those who are not walking in your way, truth and life and help me to turn away from them and turn towards you. Amen.