American Idols...

SHINE Reading Plan: Go here. 
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.

Memory Scripture: "When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight' for I bear your Name, Lord God Almighty." Jeremiah 15:16

First things first...Happy Birthday, Mom!!!! 
Thank you for setting such a wonderful example of serving and motherhood. You are the Best person I have ever known. Your love is unconditional and unending. I love you so much!!!

If you are reading through the Bible with us, we have made it to the book of Deuteronomy. God is giving the Israelites instructions before they are to enter the land that God has promised them. 

God is serious about obedience and he is serious about sin. 

He warns them time and time again about the danger of conforming to Egyptian culture and idol worship. 

God knows the hearts of those men and  women and He knows our hearts too. (1 Samuel 16:7)

We tend to easily fall for the culture norm, don't we? We get sucked in and curious about new ways and new things. We desire to look like everyone else instead of being set apart. 

The Israelites fell for this as well. They were starry eyed by the Egyptian culture. They were fascinated by their wealth and their ways. 

29 The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” 31 You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

We read this and think, "there is no way I would worship a god like theirs."

But, our actions often prove otherwise. We may not profess our worship for things and people, but our actions show differently. 

Relationships, money, career, social status, success...

These can all be idols in our lives if they consume our thoughts, our heart, and our actions. 

I have had many idols that The Lord has dealt with me over through the years. 

Many times, He has removed these things from my life due to the damage these things were doing to my heart. 

We attach ourselves to things and people because our nature is to worship. 

But, we were made to worship God alone. 

So, when we are not solely worshiping Him with our time, our thoughts, our prayers, and our actions...

Our worship attaches to something else. Even good things can become idols. 

God calls us to be holy and set apart.

"You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and He has chosen you from all the nations of the Earth to be His own special treasure." Deuteronomy 14:2

Is there an area in your life that you have conformed to this world? Is there something or someone that has become an idol and has drawn you away from Jesus?

Tomorrow, February 26th, many of you will begin to observe the Lenten season. Lent is the 40 days before Easter.  {a good article about Lent}

Many Christians fast something for this time period to prepare for Easter. 

I have often taken this time to not only fast, but maybe add in a particular worship to Jesus. 

For example, spending more time in God's Word. Or designating more prayer time in my day. 

As we think about some possible idols in our lives, and as we pray and ask God to show us anything taking a greater space in our hearts than Him, let's consider ways to fast from our culture. 

Maybe it is a certain food. Maybe it is social media. Maybe it is a certain behavior. 

When we pray and ask Jesus to show us the state of our hearts...He will. 

[Quick little story...My son gave up soft drinks for Lent 2 years ago. He will not go near them anymore! 40 days without soft drinks completely changed his taste buds. He has no desire or craving for soft drinks anymore.]

Fasting has this powerful affect. It can change what we crave. Re-setting our desires and priorities. 

Do you celebrate Lent? I would love to hear your thoughts. 

removing idols, 

jill

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!! You are LOVED!!