GodMakesMyDreamsComeTrue.....: To worship u only.

GodMakesMyDreamsComeTrue.....

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

To worship u only.

Title: The Cost of IdolatryAuthor: Warren WiersbeRead Psalm 135:13-21

Some things in the Bible are so important that God repeats them. The last verses in Psalm 135 parallel Psalm 115. These two psalms describe the dead idols of other nations. The psalmist says, "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them" (vv. 15-18). Here we see the folly of idolatry--worshiping silver and gold, the work of men's hands. But that's going on today, isn't it? Many people worship the works of their hands.How do you know what you are worshiping? The thing you work for, sacrifice for and live for is your god. For some people, it's money. For others, it's possessions. With still others, it's ambition or people. The psalmist shows us how foolish this is. Idols have mouths, yet they can't make promises. But our God speaks to us, and He gives us promises in His Word. Idols have eyes, but they cannot see. They offer no protection. But "the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous" (Ps. 34:15). God's eyes are watching us every moment of the day. He never goes to sleep. He cares for His children. Idols have ears, but they cannot hear your prayers. If you talk to an idol, you are talking to yourself. But God's ears are open to our cries. He says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you" (Jer. 33:3).The saddest thing about idolatry is that we become like the god we worship. "Those who make them are like them, so is everyone who trusts in them" (v. 18). But if we worship the true and living God, we become like Him. We are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.* * *Be careful what you worship. Satan wants you to substitute many idols for the Lord. Place no gods before Him; worship Him only. Today, get rid of any idols that might prevent your worship of the Lord.

Mel's thoughts...Through today's devotions, it really healped me to know whether i am truly worshiping GOd.
1) WHat are the things i work for, live for, sacrifice for?
2) Looking at myself, what do i reflect? DO i reflect GOD, or some other things?

The evil one is really cunning, He noes that he is unable to get us believers to think that GOd is dead.. hence the only way he can "kill" us slowly is by allowing other idols to sneak into our lives.. The evil one is definitely not so stupid, hence the idols that creep in are really subtle ones. That even we ourselves may not acknowledge them as idols and we may not even be able to recognise why that paricular thing will compete with God for our hearts. Sometimes, it may even be our rights that have become our idols.. and it is also our rights that will stand in the way of us becoming more like Him.

I remember when i was first asked to do HIs work in Bukit View GB.. i realised that i had to dye my hair black.. at that moment.. i struggled...because it was sth i really like, and had in a way become part of my identity and significane (well i only noe this when i am asked to lay it down). I reasoned that it was no sin to have colour hair,etc... but well.. i think beyond the coloured hair.. it was my rights i have to lay down. Will i lay down my rights to build His Kingdom.. what are all these sacrifices compare with what he has sacrificed?I have now laid down my rights.. i heard that the sch prinicipal has changed.. well i may be able to have my coloured hair again, this i dun noe.. but i noe God isn't a joy killer.. He jus wans me to be fully alligned to HIm.. and when i lay down things.. He may ironically see my changed heart and return it back or return me with sth greater (such as more of His presence).

I may continue struggling in areas.. but i gotta keep dying to myself.For some of us.. we may struggle with giving up things in our life... and to us we feel that we gotta give up things to prove our love for God. BUt that is only half right.. cos the real equation is.. when u love GOd, you will be ever so willing to lay down anything that may hinder your growth, ur intimacy with Him. *note that the word here is "may", 'cos we wun want to take any risk. Yes.. in the midst of giving up, it's not easy, cos it's dying to ourselves.. but at the end of it, there will be greater joy and greater excitement, from growth in HIm. Growth is what makes the whole christian journey exciting, not the music, not jus the fellowship, this may be secondary. But growth.. cos when u stop growing, u will decay and you will smell real bad.

posted by raethelamb @ 5:32 AM

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