Have You Checked Your Idols Lately? Ezekiel 14:3

“Son of man, these leaders have set up idols^[a] in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?     Ezekiel 14:3

The Israelites had idols galore.  And they took them into their hearts, the place reserved for God.  Then they fell into deep sin because of these idols. Temple prostitution, child sacrifice, false prophets.  They were allowing demons to dictate how they worshiped so why should God listen to them?  Why should God answer any of their requests?  By this time majority of them were already living were already living in exile, but they still hadn’t turned their hearts back to God.   Why would He do anything for an adulterous people?  To a people who couldn’t be loyal to Him and Him alone?  Simple.   At that point He couldn’t.

What are your idols?  Do you know? Have you asked God recently?  Recently,  God smashed all mine to pieces when my computer broke.  And I had pneumonia at the same time.  I didn’t even realize how much time I was spending on the internet.  Facebook, Pinterest, many different doll sites, my own website, they all took my time.  God smashed them all when I lost my computer.  After I lost them, I spent hours with God.   I ended up reading my bible cover to cover in 3 weeks.  I had no computer and no TV while I was sick, and the only book I had a desire to read was my bible.  I have never been as close to the Lord as I am today.  Or as content, because I know He loves me and he is going to take care of everything for me.  I feel  His love in everything I do, I see His hand in everything that comes my way.  I pray over every decision I make.  My sense of worth is growing because I know my confidence found in God and not in me.

Father,

Please help me to keep idols out of my life.  Help me to do a check often and to remove anything that sets itself up in place of you. I want to continue to draw closer to you, to be more intimate with you.  Help me to watch myself and to do only those things  that bring you pleasure. Strengthen me for my journey.

In your precious name I pray

Amen

Judging Others Luke 6:37-38

Luke 6:37-38 NLT

³⁷ “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.^[a]”

It is not my job to sit in condemning judgement of others.  If I do I will receive the same.  It is painful to be condemned by others because we know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) Condemnation is from Satan.  In not judging we are giving.  And then we can receive what God has in store for us.  God packs it down hard, pours it in til it's running over, then places it in our laps.  The more we give the more we receive.

I try not to judge people.  I don't like to be judged, so I try not to do it. It is not my place.  I live for God and God alone.  My time, my talent, my food, clothes and shelter are all given to God for His use.  And he blesses me with everything I need and more. Food, clothing, shelter, time with Him, protection, and unbelievable love.

Lord,
Help me to not pass judgement on others but to see them thru your eyes, to have compassion on them.  Help me to give more out of the abundance that I have.  Help me to love more, and to receive more when you give to me.  I am not good at receiving.  Pour out in abundant overflow your blessings on me and my family and my  friends and all who read this.
In your precious name,
Amen