Sunday, August 8, 2010

Worshipping Idols...who ME?

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).
1 John 5:21

This scripture really spoke to my heart the other day. I was thinking about idolatry and doing a little study about it in the Bible. God couldn't stand idol worship. Jesus said the first commandment was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) I have to admit, as simple as this sounds, I don't find it very easy. It seems like there is so much to occupy my heart and mind these days. To name a few: family, friends, entertainment, technology, dreams, goals, plans, etc. After reading this scripture I've started praying that God would show me if there are idols in my life. Honestly, I've come up with a big one, ME. Not an easy one to elimate either, right? In thinking about what occupies the place in my heart that is due to God, what am I substituting for Him, what am I putting first? Me. Wow, it's true. I serve myself much of the time. I have my own schedule, I do as I please. I do what I want, when I want. I'm spoiled by the conveniences of this modern age. I'm engrossed in my own obligations and daily chores and routines. I'm guilty of putting me first and giving God the leftovers.

Well, I don't want to be guilty of this anymore. I want God to have my best because that's what He wants. I'm trying to start off each day with a fresh time of surrender to Him and a simple prayer from my heart that God will have His will and His way in me. Lead me Lord and I will follow, show me Your way that I may walk with You! :) Your will be done! Change my plans if they are not what You want for me! Thank you!


More about idolatry:
idolatry - 1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. any person or thing regarded with excessive or blind adoration, reverence, or devotion, etc.
3. a figment of the mind: fantasy.
4. a false conception or notion.
5. any being other thant he one God to which divine honor is paid.
6. a person who is revered, admired, or highly loved.
7. hero worship
8. false worship
synonyms: obsession, madness, mania.

The sin of idolatry is one of Satan's most effective tools in turning people away from God. People desire to place fellow people, as well as valuable material things on a pedestal as objects of worship.

Exodus 20:3-6 - You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. You shall not make yourselves any graven image (to worship) or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the inquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 11:16 - take heed to yourselves, lest your (minds &) hearts be deceived and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.

Exodus 23:33 - They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

Snare - 1. a device, often consisting of a noose, for capturing small game
2. anything serving to entrap or entangle unawares; trap
3. to catch or involve by trickery or wile; capture by trickery

Why Wait?

Sin
Separates from God
Alienates from others
Incriminates the guilty
Imitates joy
Impersonates love
Agitates your mind
Constipates your dreams
Stagnates your future
Abbreviates your life
Devastates your eternity

God
Demonstrates His love
Advocates for the broken
Illuminates darkness
Penetrates problems
Alleviates pain
Celebrates surrender
Activates the spirit
Saturates the soul
Recreates the heart
Fascinates the forgiven

So…
Contemplate
God will not discriminate
Don’t hesitate
Don’t procrastinate
You can participate!!!

Why wait?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. John 8:36

I hope this will speak to you and touch your heart today! :) God bless!

-Dina