Idols

"Do not make idols or set up carved images, or sacred pillars, or sculptured stones in your land so you may worship them. I am the Lord your God." Lev. 26:1

If you are anything like me you have probably read the above verse and did not give it much thought. You may have even thought to yourself " I don't worship any idols. I am not bowing down to carved sculptures, worshipping other gods or carving up any statues so I can worship." That was my first instinct in dealing with this verse. I brushed off this verse as a outdated command pertaining to the ancient people who worshiped various gods and carved idols, so that they can bow down to them. Then one day I really thought about it and I realized that even though I wasn't carving statues or bowing down to other gods, I probably had just as many idols as the ancient Egyptians did.

What are idols? Websters dictionary defines an idol as "a respresentation of an object of worship;broadly; a false god." So in this sense an idol would be anything that steals me away from God. An idol would be anything that I make more important in my life than God. An idol does not have to be a carved statue or another false diety, but can be a relationship, a career, a television show, the internet, or even yourself. Of course, I am not saying that any of these things are bad things. There is nothing wrong with watching a good television show,having a career, or going on the internet. We all need to be in healthy, godly relationships However, if these things cut into your prayer time with God you are making them your idol.

How can you identify the idols in your life? These are some questions you can ask yourself to identify if there are idols in your life:

Is there anything that is distracting you from spending time with God? This could be anything from television to the internet to the people in your life.

Is there anything that prevents you from giving your whole heart to God?

What are the things that are consuming most of your thought?

Do you have any habbits or addictions that consume you?

What are the things you are spending too much money on? Recall Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is your heart will also be."

Is there anything in your life that you feel like you can not live without?

Is there a thing or person you always turn to instead of God when going through a difficulty? We all need an outlet or a friend to talk to when going through a struggle and sometimes God uses the people in our lives to speak to us. The question would be are we seeking this person or thing MORE than we are seeking God. Are we asking a person what to do every time we have a problem INSTEAD of asking God.

What are the things you are always worried and obssesed about?

If God did not answer any of your prayers would that make you turn away from God. If an unanswered pray would make you turn from God than you are making that prayer request an idol.

When trying to identify your idols spend some time with God in prayer asking him to reveal these things to you. Ask him to help you eliminate the idols from your life. Next week I will be posting a blog entry

2013 is here

New Year's Resolutions for 2013
2013 is here and I'm looking foward to seeing what this year has in store for me. Here are some of my resolutions for the new year.

1) Spend More time in prayer
2) Spend more time reading the bible
3) Worry less trust God more
4) Finish writing the first draft of my novel this year (or at least come close to it)
5) Let go of any friendships that are toxic in my life
6) Not hold any grudges with anyone
7) Spend less time trying to please everyone and more time trying to please God.
8)Spend less time complaining and more time thanking God for everything he has blessed me with
9) Become a more positive person
10) Waste less time and be more productive
11) Be more assertive
And the last one:
12) to strive my best to do these resolutions. To remember that changes take time. To ask God to constantly halp me with these. To keep trying even if I fail,
What are some of yoru resolutions for the new year? Share it in the comments