Wishing You a Happy New Year!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

The New Year often comes with many varied emotions. Sometimes we are glad to see the New Year turn over as it allows an opportunity for a clean slate, and to put a challenging year behind us.  At other times we are sad to see a year pass as it has been meaningful in some way and we would like to hold on to it just a little bit longer.

Either way, time does not stop.  2017 will bring with it many challenges, but also many celebrations.  It will also bring opportunities to worship our ever-present Lord with our words and deeds.

May this year provide you with many varied opportunities to serve our risen Savior, and to have a deeper relationship with Him.  May God bless you!  

Modern Idolatry

“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)

It is easy to think that we don’t struggle with idolatry.  After all, an idol is a statue of some metal, sacred wood or expensive stone that you bow down to, isn’t it?  As long as I don’t do that I’m okay, right?

In reality, idolatry goes much deeper than bowing down or praying to a statue.  An idol is anything apart from God that we depend on for fulfillment, security or happiness.  You might be an idolater if you get so wrapped up in sports, for instance, that you live for them; they take priority in your life.  Or maybe keeping your new car washed and polished is keeping you away from your ministry.  And television is robbing you of Bible study time.  Even putting your paycheck and career before your family can become idolatry.

These things are not wrong in themselves, but it is easy to fall victim to them.  They lure you into more and more involvement until, before you know it, they are more important than God.  That is idolatry.  And before you know it, you have a new god, a new love and a new master.

So many things in life can be an idol.  It can be anything other than God that we look to, set our hearts on, and find motivation from.  In short it is anything that we pursue and trust more than God.

It is easy to wonder at God’s gifts to us, all the things that He provides for us, whether it’s a relationship, a job, finances, future plans, etc.  He has blessed us in more ways than we can ever imagine.  And we know that everything good comes from Him. (James 1:17)  So it makes sense that we would find enjoyment in all that God provides, right?  But the problem isn’t when we enjoy God’s gifts, it is when we take it too far and seek to find our hope and confidence in the gifts, not in the Giver.

This happened quite literally with the Israelites:

“The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” (Numbers 21:7-9)

This bronze serpent was created by Moses according to God’s command to be a symbol to point the Children of Israel to God.  They were to find their confidence in the LORD as their Healer.  However, the bronze serpent became an idol to them, and the future generations of Israelites (2 Kings 18:1-4), and had to be destroyed by King Hezekiah.  What began as a blessing and gift from God, turned into something that took their focus away from God entirely, as they looked to the statue for life instead of their Creator.

We must be attentive to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.  As the author of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)   If we maintain the proper focus, then we can enjoy the gifts that God has given, and yet realize that nothing in this life can provide fulfillment, security, and happiness like God can. 

Are we giving first priority to the indwelling Life and Love of the Lord Jesus Christ?  Or are we allowing other interests to become a priority over loving Him with all our heart, mind and soul?

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