Whenever I read Scripture, whether Old Testament or New, I always ask "How does this pertain to me?" and "What are you showing me about yourself today, Lord?" So even if I don't understand very much of what I read, I'm still going to come away having had an encounter with the Lord. My goals of understanding Him more and being more equipped to live for Him are therefore always fulfilled.
One thing that stands out to me when I read the prophets is how much God hates idolatry. This isn't going to touch me much if I keep myself at a distance from these expressions, or put them in the past tense, or aim them in someone else's direction. In the here and now, Christ is passionate about burning away the things that I substitute for Him, the things that I worship that are not Him. The things that I fear and bow down to-- the things that intimidate me-- or the things I try to fill up with other than Him. Even though I know very well that nothing can fill the emptiness that we all feel without Him, I still struggle at times to keep from seeking fulfillment from other sources. We all do.
Accepting God's feelings about idols helps me to lay them down. As I move from being motivated mostly by the fear of the Lord to being motivated by love for Him, I find that I don't want to grieve His heart. Hidden idols in my heart grieve Him, and I want to be rid of them at all cost. I have to ask Him what they are, because it is still part of my sin nature to hide them from myself. Once we're willing to deal with this issue, He gently guides us towards freeing ourselves from all that is contrary to pure heart worship.
When I see how much Ezekiel was willing to go through to demonstrate God's Word to His people I feel pretty wimpy in comparison. God hasn't called me to do the things Ezekiel did (whew!) but He has called me to do some things, which I often find lame excuses for not doing. I wonder if idols have anything to do with this? I think I'll ask Him.
I love the book of Hebrews! What glorious visions of Christ we find here! Today, I'm grateful to be reminded of His loving priesthood and how we can, because of Him, come boldly to the throne for mercy and grace. Every day is my time of need! If I want to do the works He's called me to do, I'll have to enter into (and remain in) that seventh day. This is the place of pure worship that I'm looking for!
Avoiding things I'm called to do is just as much outside of the Rest as doing things I'm not called to do (it's all my own works).
"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 4:9-10 NKJV
I embrace the sword of His Word, as painful as it sometimes is, because it so clearly shows me where I'm at, as well as vividly revealing the Lord. As His sword cuts away the junk, it makes more room in my life for Him.
Showing posts with label idols. Show all posts
Showing posts with label idols. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October 5, 2010 The Best Mystery Is A Solved One
I love a mystery, don't you? What I enjoy most about a mystery is finding out the solution. If there's only mystery, and no revelation, the thrill is lost and the only thing left is frustration! That's good news when it comes to the gospel! It's a mystery revealed: "the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints" "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1: 26, 27b
I'm going to let the Holy Spirit speak to you about that, because it's such a packed statement it really takes the whole New Testament to unfold it! I felt, though, that I needed to be forthright in clearing up an apparent mystery as to why I have not kept up writing in Daily Manna. Be assured, I haven't back-slidden, and I'm still reading my One Year Bible, as I hope you are. I certainly hope my silence has not been a discouragement to you.
I have felt great pressure to "spew" while I've been reading the prophets-- everything I read is so vividly relevant to the present condition of our nation. But the Holy Spirit had not released me to speak what's been on my heart. Just because I have a daily blog does not mean I have permission to speak daily! This is a human expectation (mine included) that can cause pressure. Again I remind you, the designation "Daily Manna" refers to the daily reading of God's Word, not my daily words!!
The Lord has made it clear to me that I am under no compulsion to write daily; rather He has strongly gotten it across to me that I am NOT to do so, at least not now. I will, however, write when He tells me to. This will keep me from blowing off steam that is supposed to build and give me momentum to accomplish the things He has given me to do. It's a hard lesson to learn, for all of us, that just because we have something to say (referring here to something TRUE to say), doesn't mean we should always say it. The goal is to be like Christ, and He only did and said what He saw His Father doing and saying at any given time.
Scriptures are clear about what is wrong and what needs to be done about it. I hope you have been brave and have continued to sludge (if you felt that way) through the prophets' words of wrath and judgment, and that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you the things you needed to see and discuss with Him in prayer. I hope these passages have given you great impetus for intercession. I hope you were comforted and inspired by the many words of hope and pictures of Christ in Isaiah, as was I.
What I want to do today, dear brother or sister, is to encourage you and bless you. I do not curse my country as some people do, but neither do I wish to bless evil as some others do all the time. So what I will do is what I see my Father doing, and that is bless His people, His HOLY nation! Who is His holy nation, if not those who fear Him? Those whose hope of salvation is Christ the Lord. In His name I bless you! You ARE blessed because you belong to HIM! In Jesus Christ, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
It is time to SEE the mountain of the Lord, His kingdom growing in the earth. It is time to run to the mountain! God is lifting up His banner of love-- even as the trumpet of battle is blowing-- lifting up His covering which is Christ's blood. Under this covering we are protected from God's wrath against evil. Yes, there is wrath. I feel it inside many times, and maybe you do too, against corruption, injustice and plain stupidity. There is a separation of light from darkness as the Spirit hovers, brooding over the earth. What He is forming in you is CHRIST! Not the world's lying definition of that, but Christ Himself, the Word of Truth. This is your hope of glory, the light shining out into the darkness. There will definitely be a separation-- not of church and state, as many are calling for, but a separation of the wicked from the righteous. The separation will be for judgment, because this world is judged. We are under the blood, if we are His. We are not appointed to wrath (this doesn't mean we don't get some discipline at times when we need it-- we are His children, the children of light.) Let's just make sure we are in Him. As the light rises in you, the darkness will flee from you as the dark of night flees from the rising of the dawn!
This is not a time for finger-pointing or blame, but time for serious consideration, and time for deep intercession. God can and does choose nations, when they submit to Him; He can revive our nation, making it again a "nation under God", but the people of the nation need to be revived! When I say revival, I mean taking hold of the kindgom of God. Nationwide repentance is needed: Repentance for desiring a king other than God. Repentance for trusting in government for provision and safety rather than trusting in the Lord. Repentance for running after and serving other gods. Repentance for the sacrifice of children to the evil spirits of old. Repentance for allowing the freedom that Christ bought for us, that we have fought so desperately to retain, to be traded in for slavery. There are many other things to be repented of, as the Word and Spirit will testify.
The Church must from the heart repent for its lack of discernment and from hiding from her duties: "These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them." Proverbs 24: 23-25
As citizens of an earthly nation, we must come before God to repent for the sins of our nation; as citizens of Heaven, we must call our earthly nation to come under the blood of Christ and be reconciled to God. Then, as citizens of both Earth and of Heaven, when it's time, we must get out and vote as the Holy Spirit, Scripture and conscience direct.
There is no more time for excuses or laziness. Let the Sun rise in you and enlighten the darkness!
"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1: 19-20
Questions to ponder:
What parts of the Word have been a mystery to you? Have you asked God to reveal them to you? What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you lately?
What influences have you come under in your life that have stolen the freedom you have in Christ? Are you a slave to anything right now, other than Christ? Do you know how to get free?
How much do you value your freedom? Are you willing to fight for it?
What enemies do you see that want to destroy your freedom? What part of the battle is physical, and what part is spiritual?
I'm going to let the Holy Spirit speak to you about that, because it's such a packed statement it really takes the whole New Testament to unfold it! I felt, though, that I needed to be forthright in clearing up an apparent mystery as to why I have not kept up writing in Daily Manna. Be assured, I haven't back-slidden, and I'm still reading my One Year Bible, as I hope you are. I certainly hope my silence has not been a discouragement to you.
I have felt great pressure to "spew" while I've been reading the prophets-- everything I read is so vividly relevant to the present condition of our nation. But the Holy Spirit had not released me to speak what's been on my heart. Just because I have a daily blog does not mean I have permission to speak daily! This is a human expectation (mine included) that can cause pressure. Again I remind you, the designation "Daily Manna" refers to the daily reading of God's Word, not my daily words!!
The Lord has made it clear to me that I am under no compulsion to write daily; rather He has strongly gotten it across to me that I am NOT to do so, at least not now. I will, however, write when He tells me to. This will keep me from blowing off steam that is supposed to build and give me momentum to accomplish the things He has given me to do. It's a hard lesson to learn, for all of us, that just because we have something to say (referring here to something TRUE to say), doesn't mean we should always say it. The goal is to be like Christ, and He only did and said what He saw His Father doing and saying at any given time.
Scriptures are clear about what is wrong and what needs to be done about it. I hope you have been brave and have continued to sludge (if you felt that way) through the prophets' words of wrath and judgment, and that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you the things you needed to see and discuss with Him in prayer. I hope these passages have given you great impetus for intercession. I hope you were comforted and inspired by the many words of hope and pictures of Christ in Isaiah, as was I.
What I want to do today, dear brother or sister, is to encourage you and bless you. I do not curse my country as some people do, but neither do I wish to bless evil as some others do all the time. So what I will do is what I see my Father doing, and that is bless His people, His HOLY nation! Who is His holy nation, if not those who fear Him? Those whose hope of salvation is Christ the Lord. In His name I bless you! You ARE blessed because you belong to HIM! In Jesus Christ, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
It is time to SEE the mountain of the Lord, His kingdom growing in the earth. It is time to run to the mountain! God is lifting up His banner of love-- even as the trumpet of battle is blowing-- lifting up His covering which is Christ's blood. Under this covering we are protected from God's wrath against evil. Yes, there is wrath. I feel it inside many times, and maybe you do too, against corruption, injustice and plain stupidity. There is a separation of light from darkness as the Spirit hovers, brooding over the earth. What He is forming in you is CHRIST! Not the world's lying definition of that, but Christ Himself, the Word of Truth. This is your hope of glory, the light shining out into the darkness. There will definitely be a separation-- not of church and state, as many are calling for, but a separation of the wicked from the righteous. The separation will be for judgment, because this world is judged. We are under the blood, if we are His. We are not appointed to wrath (this doesn't mean we don't get some discipline at times when we need it-- we are His children, the children of light.) Let's just make sure we are in Him. As the light rises in you, the darkness will flee from you as the dark of night flees from the rising of the dawn!
This is not a time for finger-pointing or blame, but time for serious consideration, and time for deep intercession. God can and does choose nations, when they submit to Him; He can revive our nation, making it again a "nation under God", but the people of the nation need to be revived! When I say revival, I mean taking hold of the kindgom of God. Nationwide repentance is needed: Repentance for desiring a king other than God. Repentance for trusting in government for provision and safety rather than trusting in the Lord. Repentance for running after and serving other gods. Repentance for the sacrifice of children to the evil spirits of old. Repentance for allowing the freedom that Christ bought for us, that we have fought so desperately to retain, to be traded in for slavery. There are many other things to be repented of, as the Word and Spirit will testify.
The Church must from the heart repent for its lack of discernment and from hiding from her duties: "These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them." Proverbs 24: 23-25
As citizens of an earthly nation, we must come before God to repent for the sins of our nation; as citizens of Heaven, we must call our earthly nation to come under the blood of Christ and be reconciled to God. Then, as citizens of both Earth and of Heaven, when it's time, we must get out and vote as the Holy Spirit, Scripture and conscience direct.
There is no more time for excuses or laziness. Let the Sun rise in you and enlighten the darkness!
"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1: 19-20
Questions to ponder:
What parts of the Word have been a mystery to you? Have you asked God to reveal them to you? What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you lately?
What influences have you come under in your life that have stolen the freedom you have in Christ? Are you a slave to anything right now, other than Christ? Do you know how to get free?
How much do you value your freedom? Are you willing to fight for it?
What enemies do you see that want to destroy your freedom? What part of the battle is physical, and what part is spiritual?
Friday, August 6, 2010
August 6, 2010 God's Two-Part Plan For Establishing His Abiding Glory
I may have said this before, but it's hitting me like waves: Babylonian captivity is all about worship. We go into captivity and confusion because we worship other gods. When we come out, the first thing that happens is that the true worship of God is restored.
The things we're confronted with in captivity are all the things we've worshipped instead of God: What am I trusting in? Who do I fear? What do I desire most of all? Who or what am I molding myself to? Who am I trying to please? What am I filling myself with? Who am I following? How am I getting guidance? What do I think about all the time? What do I crave? Who or what intimidates me? What am I addicted to? What am I patterning my life after? Who or what do I run to for protection? What or who do I count on for provision? For fulfillment? For worth? For identity? What are my entanglements? Who or what do I actually worship?
Because there are so many things we worship as idols instead of, or along side of, God, we might have to go into captivity more than once. But every time we are released, we are back to getting true worship established once again. This is a life process for all of us, I think. The faster we're willing to relinquish our idols the quicker we are out of captivity and into freedom.
If we want God's abiding glory, we must first turn away from our idols (and this is why God identifies them to us and shows us His perspective on them). Then we must follow God's directions for establishing true worship. While this is happening, there will be opposition.
In these chapters today we see opposing ages and the spiritual rulers of these ages at work. There is this present age of the world (which is reaching its end), and the satanic spirits that rule over it. There is also the Kingdom age (which began with Christ's appearance in the world). That has been a mystery that has slowly been revealed since then, and is still being progressively revealed. The Spirit of Truth is the ruling spirit of the Kingdom Age.
Every person has to choose which age he or she will partake of. We are born, naturally, into this present worldly age. What could we call it? The age of rebellion? The age of lies? When we're born again, we begin to partake of the Kingdom age in some ways. But just because we're born again in the spirit doesn't mean we're able to understand or accept much of it-- it's so different than what we've gotten used to. We find ourselves in two opposing kingdoms and two opposing ages at once, and we are mighty confused!
From what Paul is saying about wisdom and spirit, I understand that the wisdom of this age comes from the heart of pride and rebellion that originated with satan. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Christ proceeds from the heart of God. Since it's written that it's the spirit of man that knows the "things of a man" and that the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God, I'm taking it that the wisdom of this age is also what comes from the heart of man separated from God. Satan is completely obsessed with man, however, so it takes discerning of spirits to sometimes be able to tell the difference between what's coming from man's spirit and what's coming from demonic spirits.
The spirit of man gravitates one way or the other. People are going to receive from demonic spirits or the Spirit of God, like it or not. If we've not put ourselves in subjection to the Kingdom of God, then we're subjected to the kingdom of rebellion (or lies, or darkness). The "rulers of this age," that Paul speaks of, can't logically be human, as he's talking about the fact that they crucified Christ, not knowing that He would be risen from the dead. Obviously, they worked through people. These spirits are still around, still working through people, trying to keep the Kingdom of God from prevailing. Too late! They've been defeated. They didn't stop it from coming and they didn't even see what was going to happen. They can't possibly stop it. The glorious reign of Christ on earth is inevitable.
Carnally minded people, even Christians, have a hard (or impossible) time seeing what's going on in the Kingdom of God. Until we reject the idols of this present age of rebellion, we can't be spiritually minded. Until we are spiritually minded, we can't receive the deep things of God revealed by the Spirit of God. When we are worshipping idols, we are still receiving only the wisdom of this age, the same "wisdom" that blindly crucified Christ.
Wrongly directed worship destroys the fruit of the Spirit in us and tears down the seed of the Word in us. It defiles and defames the temple. When we get disgusted with living in the age of rebellion, and reject its idols, we can then become cleansed from their influence and become a vessel for pure worship of God. We begin to have the fruit of the Spirit in abundance. Instead of ourselves usurping the throne of our hearts (being actually "puppet kings" of satan), then Christ is welcomed as King of kings, and we are holy participants in the Kingdom Age. We are now worshiping Him in whatever areas we are not rebelling against Him as King. He is working on getting all of us to absolute worship of Him! Give us an undivided heart to worship You! Glory!!
The Kingdom Age has glories in it we are only beginning to see as we come out from this putrid cloud of darkness. The Spirit of God delights to reveal these things to us; Jesus Christ knows all things of the Father's heart, and instructs the Spirit to reveal them to us when we are ready to receive them.
I hope this helps you to rise up and put off everything that hinders you from worshiping God purely from the heart. It certainly does motivate me!
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NKJV
Questions to ponder:
Has your concept of idol worship changed?
What idol or idols in your life has the Spirit of God identified to you today, or recently?
How is He motivating you to turn away from them?
What is He showing you to do that will replace the practices of idol worship?
What glimpse of His glory has He given you to keep you wanting the deep things of God?
The things we're confronted with in captivity are all the things we've worshipped instead of God: What am I trusting in? Who do I fear? What do I desire most of all? Who or what am I molding myself to? Who am I trying to please? What am I filling myself with? Who am I following? How am I getting guidance? What do I think about all the time? What do I crave? Who or what intimidates me? What am I addicted to? What am I patterning my life after? Who or what do I run to for protection? What or who do I count on for provision? For fulfillment? For worth? For identity? What are my entanglements? Who or what do I actually worship?
Because there are so many things we worship as idols instead of, or along side of, God, we might have to go into captivity more than once. But every time we are released, we are back to getting true worship established once again. This is a life process for all of us, I think. The faster we're willing to relinquish our idols the quicker we are out of captivity and into freedom.
If we want God's abiding glory, we must first turn away from our idols (and this is why God identifies them to us and shows us His perspective on them). Then we must follow God's directions for establishing true worship. While this is happening, there will be opposition.
In these chapters today we see opposing ages and the spiritual rulers of these ages at work. There is this present age of the world (which is reaching its end), and the satanic spirits that rule over it. There is also the Kingdom age (which began with Christ's appearance in the world). That has been a mystery that has slowly been revealed since then, and is still being progressively revealed. The Spirit of Truth is the ruling spirit of the Kingdom Age.
Every person has to choose which age he or she will partake of. We are born, naturally, into this present worldly age. What could we call it? The age of rebellion? The age of lies? When we're born again, we begin to partake of the Kingdom age in some ways. But just because we're born again in the spirit doesn't mean we're able to understand or accept much of it-- it's so different than what we've gotten used to. We find ourselves in two opposing kingdoms and two opposing ages at once, and we are mighty confused!
From what Paul is saying about wisdom and spirit, I understand that the wisdom of this age comes from the heart of pride and rebellion that originated with satan. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Christ proceeds from the heart of God. Since it's written that it's the spirit of man that knows the "things of a man" and that the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God, I'm taking it that the wisdom of this age is also what comes from the heart of man separated from God. Satan is completely obsessed with man, however, so it takes discerning of spirits to sometimes be able to tell the difference between what's coming from man's spirit and what's coming from demonic spirits.
The spirit of man gravitates one way or the other. People are going to receive from demonic spirits or the Spirit of God, like it or not. If we've not put ourselves in subjection to the Kingdom of God, then we're subjected to the kingdom of rebellion (or lies, or darkness). The "rulers of this age," that Paul speaks of, can't logically be human, as he's talking about the fact that they crucified Christ, not knowing that He would be risen from the dead. Obviously, they worked through people. These spirits are still around, still working through people, trying to keep the Kingdom of God from prevailing. Too late! They've been defeated. They didn't stop it from coming and they didn't even see what was going to happen. They can't possibly stop it. The glorious reign of Christ on earth is inevitable.
Carnally minded people, even Christians, have a hard (or impossible) time seeing what's going on in the Kingdom of God. Until we reject the idols of this present age of rebellion, we can't be spiritually minded. Until we are spiritually minded, we can't receive the deep things of God revealed by the Spirit of God. When we are worshipping idols, we are still receiving only the wisdom of this age, the same "wisdom" that blindly crucified Christ.
Wrongly directed worship destroys the fruit of the Spirit in us and tears down the seed of the Word in us. It defiles and defames the temple. When we get disgusted with living in the age of rebellion, and reject its idols, we can then become cleansed from their influence and become a vessel for pure worship of God. We begin to have the fruit of the Spirit in abundance. Instead of ourselves usurping the throne of our hearts (being actually "puppet kings" of satan), then Christ is welcomed as King of kings, and we are holy participants in the Kingdom Age. We are now worshiping Him in whatever areas we are not rebelling against Him as King. He is working on getting all of us to absolute worship of Him! Give us an undivided heart to worship You! Glory!!
The Kingdom Age has glories in it we are only beginning to see as we come out from this putrid cloud of darkness. The Spirit of God delights to reveal these things to us; Jesus Christ knows all things of the Father's heart, and instructs the Spirit to reveal them to us when we are ready to receive them.
I hope this helps you to rise up and put off everything that hinders you from worshiping God purely from the heart. It certainly does motivate me!
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NKJV
Questions to ponder:
Has your concept of idol worship changed?
What idol or idols in your life has the Spirit of God identified to you today, or recently?
How is He motivating you to turn away from them?
What is He showing you to do that will replace the practices of idol worship?
What glimpse of His glory has He given you to keep you wanting the deep things of God?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 17, 2010
I want to challenge you to grapple with those Scriptures that you tend to "gloss over," especially the things that Jesus said in the Gospels. The Lord delights in explaining Himself to us, all we have to do is ask and listen. It's right to ask the Lord, "What is it that hinders me from following you?" He will always answer you, but you have to be willing to receive the answer and let Him help you with it.
Jesus is always going to put His finger on the core issue of our heart. When He said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God," He wasn't just talking about money. Money is a big issue, but there are many other things that can have a hold on us. Whatever we value the most is the thing that can keep us from entering in. Although it's quite impossible for us to let go of our idols by our own willpower, the Lord made it clear that He would help us. All we have to do is cry out to Him the way the blind beggar did.
Why is it so hard for us to let go? Jesus promised to give us "very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." I can testify that no matter how many times I've laid the things down that my heart clung to, the Lord has more than made up for it. Our only issue is not seeing Him for who He really is, and not understanding His heart towards us.
If you really want to follow Jesus into the Kingdom, then go out on a limb and ask Him to help you. He most certainly will.
Jesus is always going to put His finger on the core issue of our heart. When He said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God," He wasn't just talking about money. Money is a big issue, but there are many other things that can have a hold on us. Whatever we value the most is the thing that can keep us from entering in. Although it's quite impossible for us to let go of our idols by our own willpower, the Lord made it clear that He would help us. All we have to do is cry out to Him the way the blind beggar did.
Why is it so hard for us to let go? Jesus promised to give us "very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." I can testify that no matter how many times I've laid the things down that my heart clung to, the Lord has more than made up for it. Our only issue is not seeing Him for who He really is, and not understanding His heart towards us.
If you really want to follow Jesus into the Kingdom, then go out on a limb and ask Him to help you. He most certainly will.
Friday, February 12, 2010
February 12, 2010
"All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the Lord; for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you." Exodus 34: 11 This is a promise I'd like to claim-- how about you? I see some stipulations here: don't make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land (the Promised Land) where God is sending you. Tear down the altars, pillars and sacred poles and don't worship their gods. What does that mean to you?
Of course God gave them other commandments, but I just wanted to focus on the fact that God called Himself "Jealous." Ex. 34:14 I avoid going into study for this devotional, but I couldn't help looking up this Hebrew word: it's "qanna," meaning "not bearing any rival; the severe avenger of departure from Himself." This is a name of God that I don't recall having learned before. We usually focus on names like Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Rapha! He is still that, so while I'm on it, I'll drop this verse: 2 Corinthians 11:2. Look it up!
My One Year Bible is in the New Revised Standard. In the Matthew reading, it says that they handed Jesus over to be crucified out of "jealousy." I looked that up too, and the word is translated "envy" everywhere else. We get those words mixed up a lot and tend to use them interchangeably, when they are really different. I suppose the religious leaders of the day were "jealous" over their position rather than "jealousy guarding the things of God." They were also "envious" of Jesus popularity, power and whatever else.
The message for me is, don't get envious of the world and try to get what it seems they have, or I will end up compromising and making covenants with the world, which would make my God very Jealous! He wants us a "chaste bride" not "prostituting ourselves to other gods."
That is the reason, for example, that I have chosen not to pursue contracts for publication or recording, and I don't take commercial art commissions. I don't want to get entangled with the world and have it dictate to me what I should do. A desire for riches or fame are things the Lord has taken years to burn out of me, to keep me from falling away. He still runs regular "virus scans" on the motives of my heart to keep it pure.
I will not always be popular when I start to "tear down altars and break pillars and sacred poles" on the mountains where the Lord has called me to have influence. Even when I'm doing God's will, and perhaps displaying the favor of the Lord while working in the world, it is possible that some religious types will get all up in arms to try and discredit me. But I can rely on the fact that "the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19
Whether I prosper in all that I do or I become a martyr for the testimony of Christ, one thing I know: Jesus took my death on the cross and prevailed!
Of course God gave them other commandments, but I just wanted to focus on the fact that God called Himself "Jealous." Ex. 34:14 I avoid going into study for this devotional, but I couldn't help looking up this Hebrew word: it's "qanna," meaning "not bearing any rival; the severe avenger of departure from Himself." This is a name of God that I don't recall having learned before. We usually focus on names like Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Rapha! He is still that, so while I'm on it, I'll drop this verse: 2 Corinthians 11:2. Look it up!
My One Year Bible is in the New Revised Standard. In the Matthew reading, it says that they handed Jesus over to be crucified out of "jealousy." I looked that up too, and the word is translated "envy" everywhere else. We get those words mixed up a lot and tend to use them interchangeably, when they are really different. I suppose the religious leaders of the day were "jealous" over their position rather than "jealousy guarding the things of God." They were also "envious" of Jesus popularity, power and whatever else.
The message for me is, don't get envious of the world and try to get what it seems they have, or I will end up compromising and making covenants with the world, which would make my God very Jealous! He wants us a "chaste bride" not "prostituting ourselves to other gods."
That is the reason, for example, that I have chosen not to pursue contracts for publication or recording, and I don't take commercial art commissions. I don't want to get entangled with the world and have it dictate to me what I should do. A desire for riches or fame are things the Lord has taken years to burn out of me, to keep me from falling away. He still runs regular "virus scans" on the motives of my heart to keep it pure.
I will not always be popular when I start to "tear down altars and break pillars and sacred poles" on the mountains where the Lord has called me to have influence. Even when I'm doing God's will, and perhaps displaying the favor of the Lord while working in the world, it is possible that some religious types will get all up in arms to try and discredit me. But I can rely on the fact that "the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19
Whether I prosper in all that I do or I become a martyr for the testimony of Christ, one thing I know: Jesus took my death on the cross and prevailed!
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