 |
||
 |
 |
|
|
How does God speak, convict and restore all in one television show? Let me tell you how he spoke to me one evening at my home. Last Wednesday, while walking by the family room, I heard loud voices coming out. My wife and daughter were screaming at the TV like it was listening to them. They yelled things like, "its Carrie, no it's Bo, oh, and that Simon's a jerk". As head of the house, I inquired the reason for the crazy-ness. After receiving the same ungodly look that I reserved for they while watching important things like the baseball game, I knew my only chance for survival was to be quiet and check out the show for myself. Yep, you guessed it, "American Idol". As I thought about the word idol, my spiritual antenna raised to combat the "conformity to the world" deal. Overseeing God4me Men's Network (a discipleship ministry for men) has increased my sensitivity to God's instruction in Romans 12:2 (Be not conformed to the world), as well as Satan's plan for renewing our minds: Hollywood. (Back to our show) Sensing my family was in danger, I proceeded to alert my wife and daughter to the perils of too much time with TV, Bo and Carrie. Ungodly look number two suggested I retreat to the friendly and secure compounds of my study. While thinking on the perils of idol worship, I decided to seek wisdom from above. I tried a little Bible roulette, reading from the first spot I opened to. This was one of the few times it worked as God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, was giving Israel the once over for creating carved idols out of the very wood He provided from trees. It is paraphrased beautifully in the Message Bible: "Then it can serve a double purpose: Part he uses as firewood for keeping warm and baking bread; from the other part he makes a god that he worships-carves it into a god shape and prays before it. With half he makes a fire to warm himself and barbecue his supper. He eats his fill and sits back satisfied with his stomach full and his feet warmed by the fire: "Ah, this is the life." And he still has half left for a god, made to his personal design--a handy, convenient no-god to worship whenever so inclined. Whenever the need strikes him he prays to it, "Save me. You're my god." Isaiah 44:15-17 After mediating on these verses on idolatry, I sought more from the Lord. To my dismay, He did not help me with the right or wrong of American Idol, but started showing my history of idolatry. As I read Colossians 3:5 definition of idolatry, He brought to mind my conversion 20 years ago and showed me how I put greed and covetousness (money & selfish ambition) ahead of Him. That was easy to agree with until 1John 5:21. (Read the Amplified version. Ouch!) Oswald Chambers echoed this scripture saying, "When ever we take what God has done and put it in place of him, we become idolators". You see God is very clear on what He wants. All or nothing. Not a piece of the pie, but the whole pie. The Bible says we cannot serve two masters, not should not. God does not bless what He is not number one in. Life does not make sense or work well without God first. I tried. It stinks. Even the instruction to love your wife, if put ahead of Jesus, can cause problems in a marriage. It places a burden upon the wife that she was not meant to bear as the man looks to her to fill a hole that only God can. This is one of the most difficult things to counsel a man on as the root of it usually stems from wrong identity or a wounded past. What has control of my heart over God? Where is my time and money spent? What excuse am I giving to be a casual Christian? Jesus said, "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Matthew12:34 What do you speak about the most?
In seeking the answer on ridding ourselves of idols, we fall short. I don't know the answer, but I know the One who does. (That's why this is called "Confessions of an Idolator ") The tools of our trade are: a disciplined prayer life, Bible study, godly fellowship, and consistent church attendance. All carried in the toolbox of the Holy Spirit. Pray unto the father to reveal the things that you have not only put ahead of Him but beside Him. Confess your sin and ask Him for His grace that is sufficient to replace any false gods in your life. His desire and passion is to draw you close to Him and make you just like Jesus. You may go days, even months without thinking of Him, but there is never a moment when he's not thinking of you. PS: I hope Carrie wins. I think she's a believer. God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events. Additional Information: God4Me Articles Please Visit: God4Me.com |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copyright © 2000-2004 God4Me.com. All rights reserved. |
