GPS-Dragons Love Tacos

NOV 12  / Sunday – Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Overview: When we overlook little things, the results can be disastrous. And even when we do good things, what’s our motivation?

Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

13 / Mon – Small things = big consequences  |  Read Eph 4:29 / Col 4:6 / James 1:19-20

In the children’s book, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, we learn that dragons love tacos but hate spicy salsa. The taco party host failed to read the fine print on the salsa jar: small bits of jalapeno peppers added. Too late. Crunch, crunch. Dragons belched fire which burned down the house. Do you know someone who catches fire easily and, when provoked, becomes contentious? Do others intentionally bait them to get a response? Scripture gives a better way. But what if you’re the one who gets fired up quickly? What is God’s advice here for all of us?

14 / Tue – Why you do what you do  |  Read Prov 21:2 / Ps 139:24

Dragons Love Tacos ends with the dragons helping rebuild the house they had accidentally burned down. The author wonders if they did so because they felt bad for what happened or if they were just in it for the taco breaks. This humorous question brings up an important point to consider. Some people just want things to get done and they don’t care about motives. But God does. Have you ever stopped to consider why you do what you do? It is a good question to ask.

15 / Wed – Right choice but wrong reason  |  Read Matt 23:1-3a / Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

Some people do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Jesus pointed this out to his disciples. In these verses, who was doing what? And why? Jesus warns us all against this kind of hypocrisy. It might be easier to see this in others than to see it in ourselves. Are you brave enough to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways in which you might be following the Pharisees’ example? When you do, ask for His help to live a more authentic, godly life. This is what your world needs to see more of.

16 / Thu – Wrong choice but right reason  |  Read 1 Sam 16:7 / Josh 2:4-6 / James 2:25

Have you ever seen someone do something you thought was wrong but later found out you did not have all the facts? Rahab lied to the king (wrong) to save the lives of the Israelite spies (right reason). In 2 Samuel 20, Jonathan deceived his father about David (wrong) because he knew Saul wanted to kill his friend (right reason). In Exodus 2, Moses’ parents disobeyed Pharaoh’s edict (wrong) because God’s law was higher (right reason). Will you let God be the judge? He knows the reason behind every action.

17 / Fri – Wrong choice and wrong reason  |  Read Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV / Gen 3:4-5

Many Bible scholars believe Isaiah was describing Lucifer’s fall. What did he want (v 14b)? How interesting that he tempted Eve to mistrust God’s motives, as he did, and offered her a chance to be equal with God, as he had wanted. She and Adam did eat the fruit and they did become like God in knowing the difference between good and evil. How often are you tempted to do the wrong thing and for the wrong reason? Praise God that He has given you a way out (1 Cor 10:13).

18 / Sat – Right choice and right reason  |  Read Matt 26:38-42

Have you experienced that doing the right thing for the right reason is not always easy? In fact, it can be excruciating at times. Jesus knew what it would cost him to do the right thing. His prayer in Gethsemane shows what a struggle it can be sometimes. He understands when you face difficult things and are tempted to take the easier road. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you submit to the Lord’s will in the smaller things (see Prov 3:6)? Then you’ll be ready when tougher challenges arise. God’s way is always worth it in the end.