"Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth." Colossians 3:2
Today, after eating lunch in my home, I closed off all interruptions from the outside world, (television, cell phone), and purposed to devote some time to reading and studying my Bible. I desired to read something light and encouraging; something that would make me "feel good" because sometimes I simply get tired of being alone and of hearing all the depressing news reports, dealing with negative people and the silence around me. (Did you know that it is possible to have the t.v. on or the radio blaring and still not hear a thing)? I had a moment of prayer and then opened my Bible to the book of Daniel. "Too deep", I thought too myself. "I'm not in the mood to go there right now". I prayed again and this time I opened my Word to the Book Of Revelations. "Oh, my Lord", I exclaimed, "Can't a brother get some joyful reading in this morning"? Insistent on finding a "happy" verse of scripture I prayed a third time. As I opened my Bible I found myself in the book of Ezekiel chapter 14. More prophesy and deep revelations. "Okay Lord", I thought, "Thy will be done", and I proceeded to read.
Have you ever heard sayings such as "The best leaders/people/friends a person can have are those who have actually been through some hard times, (or have made similar mistakes to yours), because they know what your situation feels like". These people are usually not judgmental concerning your own shortcomings and/or failures and often will have winning advice to share with you. Sadly, this is not true of all persons who have fought their way out of a pit because many forget where they have come from once they reach the top. These same folks can be found in our churches, in our places of employment, in our communities, and yes; even in our very homes. They appear to have it all together. They may have risen to positions of power, prestige and authority in these aforementioned environments. On the outside they smell of success, they possess the finest wares, they seem to have no failures or weaknesses.
In Ezekiel 14:1-10 the prophet was approached by such people; a group of elders whose hearts were consumed with false idols, (an idol is anything or anyone in our lives which we put above God), to receive a Word, (a prophesy, blessing, advice), from God through the prophet.
Knowing the hearts of all men, God said “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves. I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.' (Ezekiel 14:3-5)
God went on to warn the prophet, himself, that if he, (or any man of God), would prophesy goodness to such persons out of respect for them they would suffer the same fate as those whom they prophesy to falsely. What a lesson.
Recently we have been inundated with news of prosperity preachers shamelessly prostituting the Word of God for their own personal gain. They preach a new age doctrine which teaches that all who call on the name of the Lord should be living a life of wealth and unimaginable riches. This preaching directly contradicts Jesus who said "The poor you will always have with you.." (Matthew 26:11).
Do not cease to aspire to live well by way of promotions, advancements, or education. Do not stop trying to look your best on Sunday or any other day of the week. Don't ever let anyone convince you that having fine things is an abomination towards God. Just as it is not a sin to want or have money, the sin comes when we begin to LOVE the money, (or any of these other things). When this is done, we have set our affections on things and not God's people. Our designs in life become self-centered, greedy and out of the will of God and before one realizes it we no longer love as God loves.
I suppose it's not always a "happy" message we need to hear, but my reading today has, indeed, made me glad.
Help make someone's life better by first being true to yourself and by being true to them. I've tried it, (as have some of you), and I can openly tell you there is no way that one love love the things of this world and love God equally. (1 John 2:16-17).
I love you all,
Dennis
God went on to warn the prophet, himself, that if he, (or any man of God), would prophesy goodness to such persons out of respect for them they would suffer the same fate as those whom they prophesy to falsely. What a lesson.
Recently we have been inundated with news of prosperity preachers shamelessly prostituting the Word of God for their own personal gain. They preach a new age doctrine which teaches that all who call on the name of the Lord should be living a life of wealth and unimaginable riches. This preaching directly contradicts Jesus who said "The poor you will always have with you.." (Matthew 26:11).
Do not cease to aspire to live well by way of promotions, advancements, or education. Do not stop trying to look your best on Sunday or any other day of the week. Don't ever let anyone convince you that having fine things is an abomination towards God. Just as it is not a sin to want or have money, the sin comes when we begin to LOVE the money, (or any of these other things). When this is done, we have set our affections on things and not God's people. Our designs in life become self-centered, greedy and out of the will of God and before one realizes it we no longer love as God loves.
I suppose it's not always a "happy" message we need to hear, but my reading today has, indeed, made me glad.
Help make someone's life better by first being true to yourself and by being true to them. I've tried it, (as have some of you), and I can openly tell you there is no way that one love love the things of this world and love God equally. (1 John 2:16-17).
I love you all,
Dennis
