I get this devotional from Dr.Chappell everyday in my email. They are ALWAYS a blessing.
Hope this one speaks to someone out there
Worshipping Him Alone
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Romans 1:21-23
New Ager, Shirley MacLaine once said, “I know that I exist, therefore I am. I know that the God source exists. Therefore it is. Since I am a part of the force, then I am that I am.” Many people in our society have placed themselves above God. This form of idolatry is causing many people to neglect God and focus their lives on other things.
God commands us to not worship any graven image. He desires to be the sole recipient of our praise and worship. While we may not ever consider worshipping an idol as the pagans of old, there are things that may come into our lives that take our worship and praise away from the Lord.
Many people replace God in their lives with self. For example, Dan serves his athletic body. He works out in a gym five days a week and has impeccable eating habits. He feels lonely and empty and eventually becomes bored and bitter. The false god of vanity fails him. While Dan may not think he is replacing God, his love of self and drive for self promotion has stolen his time and worship from God. We must be careful that we do not focus on ourselves or on our own self promotion so much that we fail to make time for God.
Also, some people worship things more than they worship God. Janice is very proud of her home. She spends hours each day cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting. It makes her feel good when visitors comment on what a beautiful home she has. But her children resent her compulsive cleanliness. She spends far more time working on her home than she does on Bible study, prayer, and family time. Janice has placed her home above her God.
Our world is a materialistic society that focuses on gaining possessions. Marketing is an enormous industry that seeks to promote goods as the source of happiness. But God commands us not to place the goods we own above Him in our lives. He has given us everything we have and He alone has the power to bless us. We must make sure that we worship God and praise Him more than we worship our possessions.
It is also sometimes easy to place other people above God in our lives. Debbie’s family means everything to her. Her son and young daughter play sports, take music lessons and attend a private school. Debbie spends every waking moment of every day caring for the kids. She seldom has time for her husband. He feels neglected. If he feels neglected, how does God feel? She lives through her children. They are like false gods in her life. Although family is important and God desires for us to nurture the hearts of our children, we must make sure that we are not placing them above our Lord. We must spend more time worshipping God than worshipping other people in our lives.
Who or what do you worship most in your life? God desires that He would be the number one object of the worship and praise in your life. He deserves it! Think about this past week. Did you spend time with God, or were you too busy with other things? Make sure nothing is becoming an idol in your life by taking your worship and praise from God. Spend time with God now, and worship Him for all He has done for you!
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Romans 1:21-23
New Ager, Shirley MacLaine once said, “I know that I exist, therefore I am. I know that the God source exists. Therefore it is. Since I am a part of the force, then I am that I am.” Many people in our society have placed themselves above God. This form of idolatry is causing many people to neglect God and focus their lives on other things.
God commands us to not worship any graven image. He desires to be the sole recipient of our praise and worship. While we may not ever consider worshipping an idol as the pagans of old, there are things that may come into our lives that take our worship and praise away from the Lord.
Many people replace God in their lives with self. For example, Dan serves his athletic body. He works out in a gym five days a week and has impeccable eating habits. He feels lonely and empty and eventually becomes bored and bitter. The false god of vanity fails him. While Dan may not think he is replacing God, his love of self and drive for self promotion has stolen his time and worship from God. We must be careful that we do not focus on ourselves or on our own self promotion so much that we fail to make time for God.
Also, some people worship things more than they worship God. Janice is very proud of her home. She spends hours each day cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting. It makes her feel good when visitors comment on what a beautiful home she has. But her children resent her compulsive cleanliness. She spends far more time working on her home than she does on Bible study, prayer, and family time. Janice has placed her home above her God.
Our world is a materialistic society that focuses on gaining possessions. Marketing is an enormous industry that seeks to promote goods as the source of happiness. But God commands us not to place the goods we own above Him in our lives. He has given us everything we have and He alone has the power to bless us. We must make sure that we worship God and praise Him more than we worship our possessions.
It is also sometimes easy to place other people above God in our lives. Debbie’s family means everything to her. Her son and young daughter play sports, take music lessons and attend a private school. Debbie spends every waking moment of every day caring for the kids. She seldom has time for her husband. He feels neglected. If he feels neglected, how does God feel? She lives through her children. They are like false gods in her life. Although family is important and God desires for us to nurture the hearts of our children, we must make sure that we are not placing them above our Lord. We must spend more time worshipping God than worshipping other people in our lives.
Who or what do you worship most in your life? God desires that He would be the number one object of the worship and praise in your life. He deserves it! Think about this past week. Did you spend time with God, or were you too busy with other things? Make sure nothing is becoming an idol in your life by taking your worship and praise from God. Spend time with God now, and worship Him for all He has done for you!
1 comment:
Amen!! This was very good!
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