for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6
Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, … wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. Ezekiel 6:13
1 Samuel 27 And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. … So I shall escape out of his hand.” …So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, … Then David said to Achish, “If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there.” … one full year and four months.
David believed his own fears, a Lie. David believed he’d perish by the hand of Saul. David distrusted God’s anointing by Samuel. (1 Samuel 16:13) Desperation moving us away from God’s Promises is a recipe for disaster. (Proverbs 3:1-8, Proverbs 29:25, Job 28:28) Pursuing the favor of an ungodly king and choosing to dwell with men who do not fear God is in direct opposition to God’s Word. Psalm 1, Genesis 6:8, Ephesians 6:6, Proverbs 12:2, Luke 12:5
How often can I be like this? By living, thinking, moving and emoting out of fear plays me right into the hand of my soul’s enemy. I become pained and confused, further losing my trust in the Lord, until I repent and turn back to the Lord Jesus Christ. Not so when I quickly “spot” the lie, hear the “trumpet of warning” in my head and cease and desist from advancing into the enemy’s plans. (Genesis 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44)
Lord God Almighty, may I live consciously of Your plans, fixing the eyes of my heart on Your Word and promises when I “see” no way out and “feel” alone and abandoned. When it seems like I am heading right into the dark alley, may I remember Your Name, Your Character, and trust that You cannot abandon me because Your Spirit lives within me. (Ephesians 4:30; Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:5; Hebrews 12:2)
1 Corinthians 8 Now concerning things offered to idols: … we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
Idolatry breaks the first two commandments (Exodus 20:2-6). Offering anything to any one or thing while focusing on pleasing it more than pleasing God is idolatry! The world has many religions offering sacrifices to statues and ideologies. (Jeremiah 7:16-19; Matthew 6:5-15; Isaiah 40:18-26; Isaiah 44:6-23; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Hosea 4:12; Revelation 9:20)
Jesus says to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:36-37 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17, Romans 12:1-2; John 4:21-26; John 15:5-11
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; … and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. … beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
While I may know something, I must purposefully serve others to not cause my weaker siblings in Christ to sin against their defiled consciences. May I continue to inform my conscience of God’s Word so that it is strong and not weak, wise and not just knowledgeable. I am always amazingly blessed when others’ love (Acts 10:9-16, Col 3:23-24) edifies me, for I see our Lord Jesus Christ magnified and glorified by them!
Ezekiel 6 The word of the Lord GOD! … your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. The slain shall fall in your midst, … So I will stretch out My hand against … they shall know that I am the LORD.
For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but …” Exodus 20:5-6
The Lord God Almighty will not share the affections He is due with another. No matter what the culture or religion, may I be conscious not to offer incense or flowers to any one or thing, not got bow before statues, or pay homage to an entity other than the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Lord God Almighty? I must Be Aware of God’s fierce wrath!
Years ago you warned me and showed me my Father! (Jeremiah 7:16-19; Matthew 6:5-15; Isaiah 40:18-26; Isaiah 44:6-23; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Hosea 4:12; Revelation 9:20) Thank you for correcting me to not bow before any, even in my mind. You freed me from being drawn to depression because of waiting around for a powerless entity to accomplish what only You can do!! Your relationship has transformed me by Your Holy Spirit and your Word has given clarity of mind. Please renew others, too! Thank you! Genesis 1:2, John 3:5
Psalm 44 If we had forgotten the name of our God, Or stretched out our hands to a foreign god, Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
Lord God, please keep me close to You, may I not bow my mind or heart to any image, music, or pleasurable delight to titillate me away from Who You are, what You do, or my being faithful to who You have made and are making me to be. You are the Author and Finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Please search my heart and remove whatever is blocking me from full surrender to You. Magnify Yourself in my heart and mind that I would love You more fully by Your Holy Spirit and be changed by Your Word. “26 Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.”
Crystal (PsalmThirty4)
Sixty-six books in a year 