Idols in Our Heart

2 And the word of the LORD came to me saying,

3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?

4 "Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity,

and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,

5 "that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols." '

6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.

     Ezekiel 14:2-6 (NKJV)

It’s easy to think that we’re not like those involved in pagan religious who worship carved gods. And it’s tempting to think that passages from the Old Testament denouncing the children of Israel for getting caught up in idolatry have no application to us. But they also set up idols in their heart, which is just as bad---and something we are prone to do.

Anything that we allow to take God’s rightful first place in our hearts can be an idol---pride, covetousness, love of self/money/position, etc.  They compromise our devotion and loyalty to the Lord. And whatever worldly thing we give undue priority and attention to will cause us to stumble and sin if not checked. As a result, we can actually become estranged from God because of these idols in our hearts.

I invite you to take inventory.  If there’s anything that’s taking your time, energy, resources or focus from God, heed His advice:  Repent and turn away from your idols.  Put God back as first priority in your heart and be renewed in your walk with Him.

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Knowledge

Living in a big university town, I see numerous people chasing after knowledge and education. Oftentimes it is the newest philosophy or theory. Sadly, their additional degrees and increased knowledge for knowledge sake doesn’t bring true wisdom or joy. Without God, everything is meaningless, as Solomon prefaced in Ecclesiastes 2:25 (for without him [God], who can eat or find enjoyment?).

Solomon concluded the book of Ecclesiastes with:

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14   The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. ¹² Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

¹³ Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

Solomon was probably the wisest wealthiest person that ever lived. Because God gave Israel peace during his reign, he also had all the time and resources to chase after anything he wanted – pleasure, greatness, possessions, accumulation, flattery, immortality, perfection, knowledge, etc. Solomon realized all of this was meaningless (without God), as we’ve read in Ecclesiastes this summer.

What meaningless thing or knowledge are you and I chasing?

Following God is beneficial for all ages, all people and for all time!!! Others around us can better understand this truth as we experience and exhibit the joy and satisfaction of chasing after God and following Him in our own lives!

Alice

Reading The Signs

When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!  I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.  Luke 15:17-19

Just when you think you have it figured out, life throws you a nasty curve ball.  A person who I followed online committed suicide yesterday. It was ironic considering the day was ‘Suicide Prevention Day.’  A young life of only 30 years would never see their fullest potential.  That made me incredibly sad.  What made it much worse was this was a pastor.  Now to be clear, no life matters more than another.  But this had far reaching ripple effects across many lives.  His wife.  Family.  The congregation he shepherded, and the thousands of others who followed him.  The one person who you would think to be immune to such harmful behaviors had somehow succumbed to the very thing he would at times preach about.

Why?  I began to question my own faith for I felt either a lack of response from or distance between God and me.  This is not what I signed up for.  I struggled continually to find an answer, but alas, I could not.  I was suddenly in that very lonely place: lost.  When I first gave my life to Christ as an adult, my pastor back then spoke about being lost.  However, that was more about someone who had been wandering aimlessly like the Prodigal Son than a long-time believer like me.  Then it occurred to me I was wrong.  Being lost is not just about knowing where you are.  Sometimes, it’s about recognizing you are not where you are supposed to be.  As I thought more about it, perhaps the pastor was close to God, but somehow lost his way.  He knew where he was, but did not see the signs directing him where he was going.  As a result, he found a way that ended in his death not knowing the wrong path he had gone down.

Recognizing where you are is always important in finding God.  My pastor this week talked about having a sense of direction.  He mentioned about a sibling of his driving for miles without recognizing where they were.  Sometimes, our journey of faith will take us somewhere, and we make the wrong turn.  It’s important to have God as a compass.  Sometimes, it is to give a guidance as to what path to take.  However, there is more to it than that.  Other times it is to simply read the signs to know if we are going the right way.  The Prodigal Son had reached a point in his journey where he realized not only had he gone the wrong way but also was not where he belonged.  You see the story is not always one dimensional.  We see it most often as it never being too late to come back to God and how His grace alone is enough.  In reading this, we can add to the meaning saying that if we know who our Father is, we too can find when we are indeed lost.  We too can see where we do not belong, and can begin to make a way to where we do.

God is always there watching to lead the way if we are in tune with Him.  Prior to the story, Jesus said, “there is joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15:7b)  Many of you are taking your walk of faith, and doing so with a clear sense of God’s direction.  That is great.  I write to you today not because I have lost God.  I write because if you are like me, sometimes you know you’re not exactly where you should be.  And that’s ok!  Just acknowledge where you are and move down the path that will lead you closer to where God wants you.  Do you know where you are with God today?  What hints can give you a sense if you are on the righteous path?  My prayer is that we are wary of our relationship with God, and make sure to read the signs.  Amen.

Radically Different

Colossians 3:1-3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Yesterday started the first day back to Sunday School for this fall at my church.  This year I am co-teaching the Jr High.  Our study this semester will be using a book called Radically Different.  We are studying Colossians 3:1-4:1. 

As we start into Colossians, we are told to take the old sinful beings that we are and to get rid of it.  We are to take off what we have been.  As we continue through the chapter, we will learn about how we are to put on new with Christ.

As we read in the beginning, this applies to those of us that have been raised with Christ.  We have set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things.  To me, this tells me that I need to raise my expectations of how I should be seen by the world.  The world accepts anything that feels good at the time but as Christians, we must set our focus on Heaven.

What will you do today to raise your expectations of yourself beyond what the world expects?

Like-Minded

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for

one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, by courteous.”

     1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

“For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because

the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.”

    Philemon 7 (NKJV)

Yesterday after a long, challenging day of work, I went for a walk around the nearby lake hoping some fresh air would refresh my spirit.  God knew exactly what I needed. 

I felt led to walk on the sunny side of the lake (where I usually never walk). As I passed up a woman ahead of me, she spoke to me, and we started walking and talking together.  After just a couple minutes, we realized that we are both born-again believers.  It was so encouraging to meet someone of like-minded faith, especially since I’d been feeling so out of sync with the world and culture.  True, we may be in the minority these days, but as brothers- and sisters-in-Christ, we can and should “be of one mind,” and have compassion for one another.  It’s not always an instant connection like I experienced yesterday, but if we are in Christ, we should have love for each other.

Karen had just received some devastating news about a dear friend, and we were able to comfort and encourage one another.  And our hearts were refreshed by our time in fellowship.  We thanked God for bringing us together and exchanged numbers with plans to meet again.

We are so blessed to be part of God’s family when we trust in Christ.  And He is so faithful in caring for His children in big and little ways.  Let's show our appreciation for all He has done by being tenderhearted and courteous to one another, by rejoicing in the fellowship we have in the body of Christ.

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Perfection

I am naturally a perfectionist. Because of that, I tend to wait for the perfect day or time or environment to do certain big projects. I don’t want to start something until I know I have all the time and resources to complete it and complete it perfectly.

Solomon saw a problem with this. If we always wait for that perfect day or time, certain things may never get done.

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6     

⁴ Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
    whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

⁵ As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

⁶ Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.

It’s better to do what we can today with what we have (of course, while seeking and following God’s wisdom and direction). 

One of my desired home projects for the summer was to go through all the kids’ toys, throw out broken ones, donate no longer used ones, and reorganize everything. Well, it’s the end of the summer and I never had that “perfect” day to tackle it all! This past weekend, though, I started tackling the books and then Joe had an idea for the toys. It seemed overwhelming and I didn’t think we had time to finish (at least not to my standards). However, with all four of us working together, we made huge headway! It isn’t totally complete or up to my standard of perfection, but it’s way more organized than it was. We can now easily chip away at the rest.

Where else do you and I need to forgo waiting for that perfect day or time and get started on something God’s laid on our heart? We can break it down into smaller chunks, and tackle them one day or week at a time, the agile way. 😊 

Alice

Be Still

Psalm 46:10a

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.

This morning, as I sent my son off to his first day of first grade, I felt that I kept telling my heart to be still.  My son has been in daycare since he was 10 weeks old.  He started pre-school at 3 and so when I sent him off to Kindergarten, it really didn’t seem to bug me.  This morning though, I must admit that I kind of felt like he was so much more grown up as he got on the bus. 

While I kept needing to remind my heart to be still this morning, God also tells us to be still.  Be still, and know that he is God.  He is out refuge and strength.  He is with us.  He will be exalted.

Today, as many of us send our kids back to school, or face something else in our lives, be still.  Know that the Lord is your refuge and strength.  Turn to him doing these times.

God's Great Love

“Behold what manner of love the Father

has bestowed on us, that we should be

called children of God!”

     1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

“For I am persuaded that neither death

nor life, nor angels nor principalities

nor powers, nor things present nor

things to come, nor height nor depth,

nor any other created thing, shall be

able to separate us from the love of

God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

     Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Trust is the bedrock of faith.  But in order to trust God, we need to be convinced—really believe deep down in our hearts and know without doubting—that He loves us and wants the best for us. The greatest demonstration of His love is at Calvary.  Jesus Christ loved us so much that while we were yet sinners and enemies of God, He died for us so that we might be called children of God. 

We also learn of God’s love from His word.  The Bible is God’s love letter to us.  It is filled from cover to cover with truth about God’s love, and how He’s proven it over and over to His people.  That’s why we need to feed on Scripture every day. 

Does your faith seem weak?  Are you struggling to trust God in some difficult circumstances?  Are you holding back from stepping out in faith?  If so, you may need a greater understanding of or a fresh reminder of God’s love for you.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  Having an assurance of God's great love will help you trust, obey and submit to Him in all things.

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Talk

Talk is cheap. People can say or promise all kinds of things. It’s easy to talk big and another thing to follow through. Also, people can look good on paper, sound great in an interview, but be a big flop on the job.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.
¹³ At the beginning their words are folly;
    at the end they are wicked madness—
¹⁴     and fools multiply words.

No one knows what is coming—
    who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

In an outside organization, I’ve worked with someone that is a very pleasant conversationalist, has great ideas, but is now starting to sound repetitive (multiplying words, as verse 14 states). He brings up the same issues and ideas, but talks in circles about them. We, on various advisory committees, have recommended or provided assistance to help with some of the issues/ideas. However, he either doesn’t try them or doesn’t follow through to complete what was started. So, we end up talking about the same things at the next meeting, wearying us all.

Ecclesiastes 10:18       Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.

What about you and me? Are our words folly or wearisome?

Are we busy talking rather than working?

Maybe it depends on the project, whether it’s at work, or home or church. Where do you and I need to make sure our work matches our talk?

Alice

No law

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Imagine not having to be restricted by a law.  Having freedom to do something without limit.  So often we are restricted by the law however here in Galatians, we are told there is no law against the fruit of the spirit.  We have to be careful though because this could easily be taken out of context.  We could pick just one of these, such as self-control and say something like, there is no law against anything I do as long as I display self-control.  This would be false.  However, when we live within the guidelines of the Bible, we can do some things if we show self-control.  I few weeks ago I talked about drinking and how this has become the norm in the world today.  While I still believe we must be extremely careful to make sure that we don’t cause our brother to stumble, does the Bible say that you can’t drink at all?  No.  We are told we need to display self-control. 

Too often, the fruits of the Spirit are areas that we do not display enough.  Think about how the world would be different if only we spread more of these fruits instead of the hatred, hurt and malice that is often spread.  As Christians we are called to be the change.  We can change the world, one person at a time. 

How will you start spreading the fruits of the Spirit today?  For me, I need to start on this in my own home.  I need to show more gentleness with my son. I encourage each of you to look at where you can spread more fruit of the Spirit.