This is the reading for Friday 4/4/14.
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:14, 21-22
So then, my dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods! You can't drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you can't participate in the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or should we make the Lord jealous? We aren't stronger than He is, are we?
S: 1 Corinthians 10:14,21
So then, my dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods! You can't drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you can't participate in the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
O: We can't rub elbows with both good and evil. It is either one or the other. You are either for Jesus or you're not. There are just some things in life that are black and white. This is one of them. Matter of fact, they are the first two commandments.
1. You must not have any god but Me.
2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.
A: I have a small statue of Buddha on my desk at work. I don't idolize it. I think it's cute. It's a fat Buddha that is smiling. I heard that if you rub its tummy it will bring you good luck. Hey, if it will bring me luck, I'm all for it!
But, whoa...wait a minute. Does that mean I worship Buddha? That I believe this little green statue will bring me luck?
I am superstitious. I don't like Friday the 13th. I don't like the number 13 at all! It's unlucky! A lot of buildings avoid putting in a 13th floor.
Does my superstitions mean I am worshiping other gods? Does that mean I am into witchcraft or any other pagan celebration? Those things make you stop and think. I never really put any stock into it.
I am superstitious because I fear evil. Satan can take so many forms. So it can't hurt to have a few lucky charms, can it? Priests perform exorcisms after all. They don't do witchcraft or black magic or anything like that. They cast out demons with the name of God, Holy Water and a cross.
I need to really think about these things. I know that if I want things to work out I will pray about them. And if it doesn't happen, then I know that God didn't mean for it to happen. There is such a fine line with these things. I need to put God first. He will protect me from evil. He will make my "luck" happen if it is His will. My one and only lucky charm should be Jesus Christ. Not Buddha, not Mother Nature or any other thing. Jesus. That's it. No more no less.
P: Heavenly Father, I need to remember that You are a jealous God. You want me for Yourself and You don't share! I need to remember that my luck starts and ends with You. There are no lucky charms or anything superstitions that can keep evil from happening. I have to rely solely on You when I feel evil is near. You will protect me and keep me safe. I pray, Lord, that the next time I feel unlucky, that I leave it in Your hands. I ask this in Your name Jesus Christ. Amen.
From Tuesday, 2/4/14: Romans 12:1-2
S: I
appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what
is good and acceptable and perfect.
O: I did a little reading up on this particular verse. I went to Bible.org for a good, solid explanation. Turns out, this one little paragraph has a lot to say! "This verse is one of the most important in the entire Bible and contains
more key theological terms and truths for its size than perhaps any
other verse of Scripture." Wow! Who knew.
So, let's see... Paul is telling the Romans that they are to present their bodies to God as an offering. This is where "the body is a temple" must come from. We are offering our entire selves to God. It is telling us what we should do. Time to put into action the things we have learned.
Paul is also telling us not to conform to the ways of this world, but to the ways of God's kingdom. To really think about our actions. If we bend to God's way, then that is truly the right way.
A: How to apply this to my life? First off, to take better care of myself both physically and mentally. To show God that I know how to take care of what He gave me. Secondly, to realize that I am important and to stop putting myself down all the time. God doesn't make mistakes, so why should I look at myself that way? Third, to always try to do the will of God. To do things as if I were doing them for Him.
P: Jesus, help me to be the person You designed me to be. Help me to look at myself the way You see me. Help me to see past all my faults and imperfections. I pray that I become the person You hoped and dreamed for me to be. Amen.
