"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour." - I Peter 5:8

When they saw us walking through the door...

...they knew we would be easy marks!

My wife and I went to the Wal-Mart Portrait Studio this afternoon to have our 2 1/2 month old baby boy's FIRST "professional" photographs taken.  Now, we predetermined some boundaries that we weren't going to cross.  We went in with the intention of buying their $3.95 advertised special...

...and left 20 minutes later having spent $117.00!

Here is how it happened:  We walked in and the lady took a series of 7 pictures.  The first picture was for our $3.95 package.  The next 6 were taken "just in case" we decided that we wanted more.

And the lady's job was to convince us we wanted more!

She played on our emotions.  She bragged on how good Jacob looked.  Told us after ever snapshot how wonderful it was, knowing with each word we were being drawn further into the trap.  It ended when she made it clear that  we had to act now...

...because the pictures would be deleted if we didn't order the extras today.

We took one look at those cute photos and were reeled in like a couple of trout headed for the campfire!

(And, I also was talked into purchasing a CD of the 7 photos so I could upload them to my website.  So, if you'd like to take a look at what Jacob looks like these days, just visit http://www.123webmarketing.com/baby/jacob.html )

You know, in this case, it may have been OK for mommy and daddy to indulge a bit.  It is his FIRST real pictures.  And, we have a lot of friends and family members who want photos of the little guy.  But, it did remind me of another salesperson out there trying to get us to buy something...

...and that is satan.

Let's face it, each day of our lives we enter with the intention of not crossing our set boundaries, right?  We've got God's Word and we're just not going to do anything that is outside of His instructions.

And here comes satan, showing us all of our other options, "just in case" we decide we want something more.  He plays on our emotions, telling us how  "good" sin looks.   After all, it's his job to try to convince us we want more!

He tells us how wonderful that "little" sin can be.  He draws us further and further into the trap with each word.  And, of course, he stresses the importance of "you've got to act now."  (He knows if we think about it for a while we'll probably turn him down!)

If we're not real careful, we'll take one look at the "picture" he shows us and find ourselves on the end of his line with a hook in our mouths!

Christian, what is the salesman trying to get you to buy this morning?  Is it an attempt to share some gossip or tell a "little white lie"?  Perhaps he is trying to entice you into cheating just a bit on your taxes or flirt a bit at work.  Maybe he is showing you some pictures of bitterness, selfishness or indifference this morning.

Whatever portfolio he sits before you today, don't be an easy mark!  It may be all right to indulge yourself in buying some pictures of your baby boy...

...but it's never ok to indulge yourself in sin!

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!