"Idolatry, Idolatry, Idolatry"

Last week we spent a few minutes talking about the sin of pride. This week I really want to spend some time talking about another sin that goes unnoticed and that is idolatry. The definition of Idolatry is the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.

The scriptures are adamantly against idolatry, and the reason is because it simply puts something else in the place of our God. Since the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on worshiping Him and Him Alone. Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”. God’s holiness is so powerful that he doesn’t even want us saying the names of false gods. Exodus 23:13 “Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips”. We must be careful that we respect and reverence our Holy God at all times. Unfortunately the Old Testament shows us time after time of how the Israelites went back worshipping false gods. They were stuck in a pattern of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry, and the cycle would start back over.

The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images and statues. We must ask ourselves how idolatry plays out in modern times. Well most people do not bow physically before a statue. It is my experience that idolatry is a matter of the heart. It’s shown when we succumb to Pride, self-centeredness, greed, materialism, gluttony, and dependence on a man or woman (Boo Lovin).

We could spend hours on this topic but because of time I want to focus on two of these forms of idolatry. “Materialism” and “Gluttony”!

Worshiping materialistic stuff is a very common form of idolatry. People want the newest items, clothes, gadget, cars, homes, and not to mention all of the stuff that goes in a home. My wife and I just purchased our first house and in purchasing the house we realized that we needed stuff to go in the house. So we bought a flat screen and a few pieces of furniture and quickly realized that our rush to fill the house could become a form of idolatry. My wife said to me one night going to bed we have spent a lot of money on stuff but have we helped anyone else? This question rung in my spirit for the whole week. When you worship materials it keeps the focus on you and not God. Indulging in our materialistic desires is Satan’s trap to keep our focus on ourselves.

Now let us talk about a less noticeable form of idolatry called Gluttony. This is a form of idolatry that I struggle with. Anyone that knows me knows I love to EAT, but if we are going to line ourselves up with the Word of God, then gluttony is not acceptable. Gluttony is simply a desire to consume more than that which one requires. Gluttony is one of those sins that I have ignored for years and I’m sure many others have also. We are often quick to label smoking and drinking as sins, but for some reason gluttony is accepted or at least tolerated. We must view gluttony as a habit that must be broken. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits. Did you know Proverbs 23:2 says “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony?” That’s one of those scriptures that makes you scratch your head. I heard someone say the other day that people that give in to gluttony dig them selves a grave with there teeth. The bottom line is nothing should control us but our Father in Heaven.

So as we are ending today’s blog I encourage you to pray that God would reveal the areas where other things are before God. Our hearts and minds must be centered on God and on others. This is why when asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matt 22:7. When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.

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"Pride, Pride, Pride"

Pride is one of those sins that gets overlooked by Christians. But we can not overlook something that the scriptures are so strongly against. In today’s blog I want to point out how God feels about pride. Throughout Scripture we are told about the consequences of pride. Proverbs 16:18–19 says “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud”.

Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished. It’s important to know that anything we accomplished would not have been possible had it not been for God enabling us to do it. Pride normally says look at me and not God. Psalm 10:4 “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God”. Pride has no room for God only self-glorification.

Pride separates us from our Father; let’s remember Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride. (Check Out Isaiah 14:12–15). Pride is something I try my best to be aware of. There are times when I have to rebuke myself for thinking I have done things on my own. Unfortunately I am not alone in this battle against pride, many Christian have some form of pride and don't know it. My hope is that you become aware of the areas where you have taking the credit for what only God can do.

Pride is a false reality that makes us think we are good people, and because we are so good we deserve God to bless us. When the truth is God is not pleased with our lack of humility. Thomas Merton said Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.

There are four things I do to keep pride from entering my heart again.

1. I pray for forgiveness of the sin of Pride: This is something I must pray on a continual basis. I know some of you have this area under control but if you’re like me you have to ask everyday for forgiveness. (Pride is sneaky and constantly wants to creep in)

2. Say to yourself everyday “It’s not about me”: This is a great way to get the focus off of YOU. Unfortunately we live in a society that promotes us to think of ourselves and not others, we must fight against the plague of selfishness.

3. Memorize Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

4. Ask God for a spirit of Humility & Gratitude: This one is simple, pray that you are humble and grateful. The book of James has a great scripture on humility. James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

So as we closed today’s blog my hope is that we replace Pride with Humility. Gods loves every one of us the exact same. He doesn’t love me anymore then he loves the crack head on the corner. Its time for us to do away with our pride and watch how our relationship with God takes off.

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"God Isn’t Fair"

The title may seem a bit much, but unfortunately I have heard many people say this. The truth of the matter is God is NOT fair, and we should be so grateful that he isn’t. Fairness would mean that everyone got exactly as he or she deserved. I want you to think about some of the trifling things you have done in your life. Are you thinking? Now think what would happen if God gave you what you deserved?

If God were completely fair, we would all spend eternity in hell paying for our sin, which is exactly what we deserve. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and are therefore worthy of eternal death. Romans 6:23” For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Fairness would mean we would end up in the lake of fire according to Revelation 20.

So fortunately for us, God is not fair, instead He is merciful and good, so He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” All we have to do is believe in Him (Jesus) and we will be saved, forgiven, and receive eternal life.

The only people that will receive the punishment they deserve are the people that don’t believe in who God sent, which is Christ Jesus. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” So as you see those who believe are receiving far more, and much better, than what they deserve.

So the next time someone debates with you over whether or not God is fair, let them know that he is absolutely not fair. But he is gracious, merciful, and forgiving by sending his Son Jesus Christ and that is better then him being fair any day!

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“Daddy Can I Drive?”

This is the question my 7 year old son asked me this morning on our way to school. My reply to him was “One day just not today”. The truth is I hate driving and would love for him to drive, and it’s my hope that one day he will be able to drive.

Its amazing how something as natural as driving can be so dangerous if you’re prematurely pushed into it. One day I expect him to get his license and prayerfully a car and then on the road he will go. But at 7, if he is put behind the wheel he would probably crash the car.

This is the same way our Father in heaven works. There are things that he wants for his children but we may not be spiritually ready for it. Our job is to have patience and grow in the area God wills for us. Hebrews 10:36 says “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

In 1 Samuel 16, David is anointed to be King. After David was anointed, he went back to tending the sheep for his father. What do you think kept David from running ahead and going to the palace and demanding to be king now? He was willing to wait on God’s timing. David knew that things were in God’s hands, and he knew that God’s timing is always right. We have seen in this story that David was obedient in trusting God even when he didn’t know how God would work out the details.

If God was to put some of us behind the wheel right now we would probably be like my 7 year old son and crash, potentially hurting ourselves. In many cases, people are just like my son and have a strong desire to want to mature too quickly, but as Christian we have to learn how to wait on Gods timing. Just because we have a strong desire doesn't change Gods will or his timing. Everything he does is perfect! Eccl 3:11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time”. You will never be able to appreciate things that come quickly. But things that take time and effort you will appreciate that and be grateful for.

It is my hope that as we close today’s blog you will examine the areas you may be rushing God in and then slow down. Instead of rushing God we should find ourselves continually praying and seeking him for patience. Romans 12:12, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”.

“Fruitful”

If I were to ask you what makes a person fruitful most people would say having homes, cars, jobs, and money in the bank. Having things of this nature is definitely a way to look at being fruitful. However, in today’s blog I want to look at fruitful people through a different lens. The word fruit, or a variation of it is used fifty-five times in the New Testament and refers to a variation of results. I want to talk about one of these variations, and that is by gauging fruitfulness by how many people you bring to Christ.

Fruit for a believer should be the gaining or converting of another believer. In 1 Corinthians 16:15, Paul refers to the first converts in Achaia as the “First fruits of Achaia”. Although this way of thinking about fruit is uncommon it is still biblical. Jesus said in John 15:8 “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Being a fruitful disciple is contingent on how many souls accept Christ as their personal Saviour. This passage of scripture has nothing to do with money but all to do with connecting people to the “True Vine” which is Jesus Christ.

When we bear fruit it pleases God. Colossians 1:10 says, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work”. If you are a person that looks to honor God in every area of your life, converting unbelievers is a major way to honor our Father.

As Christians we should have such urgency within us to tell all we know about Christ, Why?Because he is the only way to Heaven according to John 14:6. That urgency should burn within us every time we walk in a Mall, down the street or in a gym. If you want to learn more about witnessing to unbelievers there is plenty of material out there, but the best material to read is the Bible. The book of Acts is a great place to start reading about unbelievers becoming believers.

As I was studying some of the conversions in the Bible I begin to ask myself this question. Am I being fruitful? And I must be 100% honest, I'm not feeling very fruitful. As Christians we have a lot of work to do. There are so many people that don’t know about Christ. I pray that you will read this blog and begin to look at your own life. I will leave you with this simple question. How many people have you told about Jesus just this year alone? If your answer is none, LET’S GET TO WORK!

"Christian Persecution"

Salvation doesn't excuse Christians from persecution on earth. It is my experience that many Christian don’t understand the purpose of persecution. Persecution plays a major role in our walk with Christ. We tend to equate anything good with Gods Will but anything that hurts us we say it’s the devil. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 says “In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. Notice that scripture does not say we might be persecuted it says we WILL be.

As faithful Christians, we must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it. Persecution allows us to share in a unique fellowship with our Lord and Savior. I love what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians. Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”. It’s amazing how we all say we want to be like Jesus and even wear WWJD bracelets yet none of us want to suffer with him. If you really want to know what Jesus would do he would do like the scriptures says in 2 Timothy 2:3 “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus”.

As Christians we need to get to the place where we realize that persecution is good for us. James 1:2–4 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Just as steel is shaped in the fire, so is a Christian’s character.

Trust me I realize that going through trials can be a tremendous challenge, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us and the wonderful example of the Lord to encourage us. 1 Peter 2:23 says “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” There is no better example to have then Jesus Christ who was insulted, beat, and murdered yet he made no retaliation. Let's not get it twisted Jesus could have retaliated if he wanted to, but our King choose to lay down his life. John 10:18 says “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

As I close today’s blog I pray that you read this and begin to rejoice in whatever you’re going through. Hardship makes you constantly rely on Christ. I pray that you find Peace, Joy, and Strength in your situation. I'll leave you with a scripture from Philippians 4:11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

“Attention All Righteous People”

Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

I have heard this scripture quoted about 1000 times in my life. But yesterday I decided to look into what Isaiah is truly talking about. The chapter starts out talking about how awesome and glorious God is. It talks about how God acts on behalf of those who remember His ways and those who gladly do right. It then reveals the reality of the human condition. We tried to do it our way, but we failed. We continued to sin against God’s ways and He became angry. It then talks about our righteousnesses being like filthy rags.

In verse 5 Isaiah asked the question “How then can we be saved?” Religulous people think salvation is earned by behaving a certain way, Gospel minded people believe Jesus (Which is God in the flesh) conquered sin and death and he gives the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him. It’s absolutely amazing to me how righteous people think that good behavior gets them to the Father when Jesus clearly states in John 14:6 “No one comes to the Father except through me”. Think about the nicest person you know. I’m talking about somebody that seemingly is the most righteous, most loving, most caring person you know. Not even that person can stand before our perfect God and make it in without Jesus blood. You can never please God through good behavior, even the father in Luke 15 rejoiced over the Prodigal son that misbehaved not the older son that behaved. I don’t know about you but I think that the cross was enough. Anyone that is trying to say that your good behavior is a requirement for heaven has just said the cross didn’t do the job.

The great reformer Martin Luther rightly said that, as sinners, we are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways. The first is Religion/Spirituality and the second is the Gospel. Pastor Mark Discroll from Mars Hill church was quoted saying Religion says that the world is filled with good people and bad people. The Gospel says that the world is filled with bad people who are either repentant or unrepentant. Paul puts it this way in Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one”. This is why WE NEED CHRIST. When Isaiah talks about our righteousness being like filthy rags he is simply saying our good behavior is like a bloody tampon (Yikes). If you don’t believe me here’s a link to the Strong’s Concordance lookup. See for yourself. Take the absolute best person on Earth and he will fail. Nobody is perfect. Compare anyone’s righteousness with God’s perfection and it looks and smells like… well… a used tampon.

So let us stop the madness of thinking we are obeying his commands to get into Heaven. Your righteousness will not help you one bit on Judgment Day. The reason you should obey Gods commands is because you love Him. Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command”. Please believe in Jesus Christ and love him with every bit of your heart, because your righteousnesses will fail you in the end.

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