“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15 (New King James Version)
“You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. " Exodus 20:3-6 (New King James Version)
Here's something to think about-do you have other "gods" in your life? Are these "idols" preventing you from focusing on Jesus?
As professed Christians, sometimes we tend to lose track of Jesus in our daily lives. Things happen. Our jobs become the focus of our lives, money becomes more important than anything else-especially in these tough economic times. Sometimes, silly things consume our time. Sports (baseball, football, hockey, basketball), television (24, House, Survivor, American Idol), computers (music, internet, Facebook, MySpace). These things can easily become gods or idols.
Think about this: do you turn on your computer as soon as you get up in the morning? Do you check your email while you're still in bed? Do you worship at the church of the NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL all day on Sunday? Where are your priorities?
I am NOT trying to condemn anyone-I have several planks in my own eye that need removing. My point, is this: Is Jesus Christ first and foremost, the most important thing in your life? If any of the things I mentioned above are consuming your time, if they are first in your life, then you need to pray about making a change.
Take a look at the scriptures that open this post. Let me remind you that the nation of Israel suffered many times for following other gods. Who do you serve?
God spoke to Moses and specifically said "you shall have no other gods before Me". No matter what bible translation you use-it says the same thing! Who do you serve?
In 2009, I made only one resolution: MORE OF JESUS AND LESS OF ME!
There is a worship song by Chris Tomlin that really hits home on this topic. If you have it, fire up your iPOD, or just read the lyrics below.
Give Us Clean Hands by Chris Tomlin
We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols
So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols
So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands--Oh God
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God of Jacob
(Give us clean hands)
So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands--Oh God
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God of Jacob
Oh God of Jacob
Give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands--Oh God
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God of Jacob
Now answer these questions.....
Who can wash away your sins?
JESUS!
Who is the only way to the Father?
JESUS!
Who should you be serving with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
JESUS!
Who do you want more of in your life?
JESUS!
Who is your King?
JESUS!
SHOUT IT AGAIN!
JESUS!
JESUS!
JESUS!
JESUS!
Is anyone else excited about Jesus?
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!
Can somebody shout AMEN?
1 comment:
Hallelujah Amen Brother. Blessed to see your excitement. We all need to to be this excited about worshipping our one true God. The enemy loves to distract us...and we are so easily swayed. I pray for strength and focus! I pray that we all keep our eyes fixed on the only one who matters...JESUS!!!!
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