Cast Out Every Idol
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). . . . It is not alone in denying the existence of God or in bowing down to idols of wood and stone that this first commandment is broken. By many who profess to be followers of Christ, its principles are infringed, but the Lord of heaven does not acknowledge those as His children who are cherishing in their hearts anything that takes the place which God alone should hold. With many the gratification of appetite holds sway, while with others dress and love of the world are given the first place in the heart. . . .
God has given us many things in this life upon which to bestow our affections, but when we carry to excess that which in itself is lawful we become idolaters. . . . Anything that separates our affections from God and lessens our interest in eternal things is an idol. Those who use the precious time given them by God–time that has been purchased at an infinite cost–in embellishing their homes for display, in following the fashions and customs of the world, are not only robbing their own souls of spiritual food, but are failing to give God His due. The time thus spent in the gratification of selfish desires might be employed in obtaining a knowledge of the Word of God, in cultivating our talents, that we might render intelligent service to our Creator. . . . God will not share a divided heart. If the world absorbs our attention, He cannot reign supreme. If this diminishes our devotion for God, it is idolatry in His eyes….
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). When our hearts are tuned to praise our Maker, not only in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs but also in our lives, we shall live in communion with Heaven. . . . There will be gratitude in the heart and in the home, in private as well as in public devotion. This constitutes the true worship of God.
That I May Know Him p. 322
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Marco who was shot in the head by robbers. Pray for his wife and unborn baby. Diane
—–Please pray for Tim who is in the hospital. Rose
—–Please pray for Pam who had extensive brain surgery yesterday that will incapacitate her for at least three months. Elva
—–Dee needs God’s healing and leading. Please pray. Lee
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Dear Friends,
During this season of gift-giving, I thought I would share with you a song the words of which have been such a blessing to me over the years. In the past, I’ve sung this song by Eben E Rexford for special music and often played it for offertory.
They brought their gifts to Jesus, And laid them at His feet, And love for this dear Saviour, Made every offering sweet; Good deeds and words of kindness, Help for the poor of earth, And not a gift among them Was thought of little worth.
Apart from other givers A poor wayfarer stood; He saw the gifts they offered, The poorest counted good; And he was filled with longing, A gift, though poor, to bring; Alas! all emptyhanded He stood before the King. “Dear Lord,” he cried in sorrow, “I know how kind Thou art, Take all I have to give Thee, My sinful wayward heart.”
Then Jesus answered softly, “Count not the gift as small, Though all of them are precious, Thine is the best of all.” Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus, That He will count most sweet? Say, “Lord, my heart I give Thee,” And lay it at His feet.
Paul tells us that Jesus “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 Truly it is out privilege to give our heart to the One Who left the glory of Heaven and the worship and adoration of all the heavenly host to come to this sinful planet to live a life a perfect life that we may live in Heaven with Him. Of that time Zephaniah writes, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 Think of it! The Great King of the Universe will be so happy to have us with Him that He will sing to us of His Great Love for us! Oh how we should long to hear that song! Oh how joyfully we should give our best gift to Him.
Let us give our heart to our Dear Saviour for it is the gift that He most desires. Let us bring others to the foot of His cross that they, too, may love the Him with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their might and be ready for that great day. (Deut 6:5) And someday soon we will see Jesus coming in the clouds and exclaim with rejoicing “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose