Children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John5:21)
"Letyour character be free from the love of money, being content with what youhave; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I everforsake you,' so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not beafraid" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
"Youshall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shallnot make for yourselves" (Exodus 20:23)
As I am writing this blog entry I cannot help but think about whatis missing from the Christian Church today. Where has the training of our young ones gone to? Where are those leaders who are mature Christiansat? The ones who teach their young onesthe ability to discern good from evil? Too many times I look around and see a culture, a Christian Culture thathas a lot of physically grown men, but who are babes in their walks and stillon the proverbial nipple (or still on the milk). “For the word of God is livingand active. Sharper than anydouble-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints andmarrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews4:12). If you are a professional athleteyou have to train hard and continue to practice. If you are a mountain climber, you have topractice and train hard to be able to climb the tallest mountain in theworld. If you are going to be a NavySEAL you have to train really hard to be that good. Likewise, if you are going to grow into amature Christian in order to be able to discern good from evil, then you haveto train and prepare yourself. How do wedo that? We can attain this by reading the Word of God daily and meditating andmemorizing it, and by daily prayers (throughout the day as necessary). We also need to find an accountabilitypartner (besides are wives- if you are married) to give it to us like we needto hear it – through the truth – the word of God.
I think I am getting ahead of myself. First, we have to get to the core of theproblem instead of systematically trying to treat what ails us. Simply put, what is your idol? What is your American Idol that gets in theway between a much stronger relationship with God? Scripture clearly states that as we movecloser to God, He will move closer to us. Therefore, do not be fooled, God is not mocked. He is a holy and righteous God and He callsus to become living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12) and to live Holy (Colossians3). So ask yourself what do I need tocut out of my life in order to move closer to God? What “idol” is standing between God and Ithat prevents me from true fellowship.
This is the point that Lance and I would like to challenge youto step out and drop that which causes you to stumble: Do you work too much (is work youridol)? Do you worship TV (do you put TVbefore your wife and kids and before your fellowship time with God)? Do you spend too much time on the computervisiting websites that you and I both know does not honor God (is porn or thecomputer your idol)? Do you findyourself to busy (is business your idol)? Confess that to which separates you from God. Give it up and move closer to Him. Next move closer to serving at your church. Get involved in a mini-church (small group)and open up with other Christians (you will be pleasantly surprised). You can start attending your men’s biblestudies and/or serving in different ministries at your church.
Then, when you find yourself eating “meat” (that is, reading theWord more and moving closer to God) then you can take the next step of ourchallenge: Find someone to mentor andthen also find someone to mentor you.
Lance and I look forward to finding out what happens to you andyour church over the next year (Now would be the time to read Mathew 28 and theentire Book of John).
May God Bless you and keep you all and make His face shine uponyou.