Daily Devotions
The product was intended to be used as wallpaper cleaner. The original ingredients were flour, water, salt, boric acid, and silicone oil. The inventor and manufacturer was Noah McVicker.
Following World War II, Noah McVicker’s nephew, Joseph, discovered that his uncle’s wallpaper cleaner was being used by nursery school children to make Christmas ornaments. In a moment of inspiration, Joe McVicker renamed the product “Play-Doh¸” started marketing it to toy stores and schools, and made a fortune in the process.
Just about everyone has played with Play-Doh.
Kids love turning Play-Doh into different things. You can roll it into a ball. You can cut it with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. You can even squeeze it through the “Play-Doh Fun Factory” to make all kinds of shapes.
The Bible says that our lives are sort of like Play-Doh, in that we can be shaped or formed by the world around us. Paul gives this word of caution:
“And do not be conformed to this world… ” (Romans 12:2, NKJV).
One translation says it this way: “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” If we’re not careful and prayerful, the beliefs, the philosophies, the values, and the system of this fallen world will put their stamp on what we believe, what we say, how we think, and what we do.
Here’s a good question to ask yourself today: What is shaping your character and your personality the most? Is it the world around you, or is it Jesus Christ? When the world is shaping you, you’ll be consumed with the things this world has to offer: riches, power, and self-indulgence. When Jesus is shaping you, your greatest desire will simply be to please Him and to know Him.
Suggested Bible Reading
Prayer Guide
Today as you pray …
- Praise God for His wonderful love for you.
- Ask for God to reveal aspects of worldliness in your life.
- Seek God’s grace to rescue you from being conformed to the world.
- Thank God that He has empowered you to do His will and to please Jesus.
Psalm 33:2-3