Date: November 17, 2010 10:23 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Limelight Idol
The Limelight Idol
"'So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do...to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full'" (Matthew 6:2).
Scripture Focus: Acts 5:1-11
We feel good about some people being in the limelight: firefighters, police officers, and members of the military who risk their lives to protect and save others. We are happy to see Olympic medal winners and honor students have their moments in the limelight. But when people resort to dishonest means to get fame and publicity, it does not sit well with us.
The church in Jerusalem heartily recognized Barnabas as a self-sacrificing individual. He had sold some land and donated the money for the needy. But then Ananias and his wife Sapphira tried to gain the limelight by selling their property and pretending to donate the entire amount of the transaction to help the needy. They could have kept part of the profit or even all of it, because they were under no obligation to donate it at all. However, they conspired to lie to God and man about the sale amount. When their conspiracy was revealed, they paid for their limelight worship with their lives. God values humility and integrity.
Insight: Don't worship the limelight. Worship the One Who is the Light!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
+DEV+ Good Luck Charms
Date: November 16, 2010 11:19 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Good Luck Charms
Good Luck Charms
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4).
Scripture Focus: Leviticus 26:1-13
Do you remember having a good luck charm when you were young? It may have been a rabbit's foot or a lucky penny. We must have wanted something to hold onto. Probably not one of us knows the whereabouts of those items today.
Thankfully, we cling to something lasting, and His name is Jesus Christ. While the human heart craves good fortune and places its confidence in meaningless objects, the One Who will never be moved holds out His hand to us.
The wisdom of Psalm 37 gives us more assurance than any four-leaf clover. "Trust in the LORD" (vs. 3); "Delight yourself in the LORD" (vs. 4); and "Commit your way to the LORD" (vs. 5).
While many discard old "good luck charms," some people today still cling to them. Abandon those childish ways. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Then not only will you know how to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9), but also you'll know the One in Whose grip you are tightly held. Let the rabbits keep their feet!
Insight: The devil is not opposed to faith if its object is anything or anyone but God. But he trembles when it is.
Topic: +DEV+ Good Luck Charms
Good Luck Charms
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4).
Scripture Focus: Leviticus 26:1-13
Do you remember having a good luck charm when you were young? It may have been a rabbit's foot or a lucky penny. We must have wanted something to hold onto. Probably not one of us knows the whereabouts of those items today.
Thankfully, we cling to something lasting, and His name is Jesus Christ. While the human heart craves good fortune and places its confidence in meaningless objects, the One Who will never be moved holds out His hand to us.
The wisdom of Psalm 37 gives us more assurance than any four-leaf clover. "Trust in the LORD" (vs. 3); "Delight yourself in the LORD" (vs. 4); and "Commit your way to the LORD" (vs. 5).
While many discard old "good luck charms," some people today still cling to them. Abandon those childish ways. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Then not only will you know how to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9), but also you'll know the One in Whose grip you are tightly held. Let the rabbits keep their feet!
Insight: The devil is not opposed to faith if its object is anything or anyone but God. But he trembles when it is.
Monday, November 15, 2010
+DEV+ The Power Idol
Date: November 15, 2010 9:26 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Power Idol
The Power Idol
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold they keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18)!
Scripture Focus: Matthew 2:7-16
Herod the Great, who ruled Judea when Jesus was born, was known as "King of the Jews." He was so power hungry that he disposed of every political rival as well as many family members. You can imagine Herod's alarm when the magi inquired in Jerusalem, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2)? His scheme to find this king failed, so he ordered the killing of innocent boys two years old and under living in and around Bethlehem (vs. 16).
Clearly, Herod worshiped power. So have history's dictators and many of today's corrupt politicians or CEOs. Lest we think the "power idol" can't possibly reach our own lives, we should remind ourselves of Paul's words to his dear friends in Philippi and to us: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition...in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Only Jesus has the right to rule our lives, and He beckons us to follow Him. He took on our very nature; all power belongs to Him!
Insight: "We don't have to surrender our lives to key people if we know the Keeper of the Keys." (Anonymous)
Topic: +DEV+ The Power Idol
The Power Idol
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold they keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18)!
Scripture Focus: Matthew 2:7-16
Herod the Great, who ruled Judea when Jesus was born, was known as "King of the Jews." He was so power hungry that he disposed of every political rival as well as many family members. You can imagine Herod's alarm when the magi inquired in Jerusalem, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2)? His scheme to find this king failed, so he ordered the killing of innocent boys two years old and under living in and around Bethlehem (vs. 16).
Clearly, Herod worshiped power. So have history's dictators and many of today's corrupt politicians or CEOs. Lest we think the "power idol" can't possibly reach our own lives, we should remind ourselves of Paul's words to his dear friends in Philippi and to us: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition...in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Only Jesus has the right to rule our lives, and He beckons us to follow Him. He took on our very nature; all power belongs to Him!
Insight: "We don't have to surrender our lives to key people if we know the Keeper of the Keys." (Anonymous)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
+DEV+ The Elusive Idol
Date: November 14, 2010 7:43 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Elusive Idol
The Elusive Idol
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:1-11
The TV game show Deal or No Deal serves suspense and entertainment. Will the contestant take the deal of $110,000 or turn it down in hopes of winning the bigger $1 million prize? Often, those who decline a big sum of money, hoping for even more, leave with very little in the end. The lure of getting more drives hard, doesn't it? And it plays itself out beyond television game shows and right into our hearts.
When asked how much money would satisfy him, one wealthy man replied, "Just a little more." As has been true since the Garden of Eden, contentment still seems to be an elusive idol, always just out of reach when greed is the motivator. True contentment comes when we find riches in a relationship with God. Nothing on this earth goes with us when we die. But we can rejoice now with the psalmist who finally realized, "Whom have I in heaven but you? Being with you, I desire nothing on earth" (Psalm 73:25). That's a deal we never want to turn down!
Insight: Money may fill a person's pocket, but only God can fill the heart. Money will flee from us, but God won't.
Topic: +DEV+ The Elusive Idol
The Elusive Idol
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:1-11
The TV game show Deal or No Deal serves suspense and entertainment. Will the contestant take the deal of $110,000 or turn it down in hopes of winning the bigger $1 million prize? Often, those who decline a big sum of money, hoping for even more, leave with very little in the end. The lure of getting more drives hard, doesn't it? And it plays itself out beyond television game shows and right into our hearts.
When asked how much money would satisfy him, one wealthy man replied, "Just a little more." As has been true since the Garden of Eden, contentment still seems to be an elusive idol, always just out of reach when greed is the motivator. True contentment comes when we find riches in a relationship with God. Nothing on this earth goes with us when we die. But we can rejoice now with the psalmist who finally realized, "Whom have I in heaven but you? Being with you, I desire nothing on earth" (Psalm 73:25). That's a deal we never want to turn down!
Insight: Money may fill a person's pocket, but only God can fill the heart. Money will flee from us, but God won't.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
+DEV+ The Me-First Ido
Date: November 11, 2010 6:45 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Me-First Idol
The Me-First Idol
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..." (Matthew 6:33-34a).
Scripture Focus: Haggai 1:1-11
The prophet Haggai had a sharp message from the Lord for the Jews who had come out of captivity and had delayed in rebuilding God's temple. He could hardly put it any more plainly: hardship and drought were the hallmarks of their lives because they left the Lord's house in ruin while each of them was busy with his own house (Haggai 1:9). The sting of that rebuke must have been convicting, much as it is to us today when we confess that our focus is anywhere but on the Lord. Often our greatest priorities are, indeed, our houses and earthly pursuits.
Jesus Christ's own words to us urge us to seek Him before all other things and then see how what we long for will be ours as well. This is no magic formula...pray to God and go to church and you'll get a new car and house. Rather, Jesus invites us to place our heart's desire on Him and His righteousness, and we will see our hopes and longings shift and line up with what God also wants for us. He knows what's best!
Insight: God should come first in our lives, and we should hold all that we are and have in trust for Him. The Christian life is a stewardship.
Topic: +DEV+ The Me-First Idol
The Me-First Idol
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..." (Matthew 6:33-34a).
Scripture Focus: Haggai 1:1-11
The prophet Haggai had a sharp message from the Lord for the Jews who had come out of captivity and had delayed in rebuilding God's temple. He could hardly put it any more plainly: hardship and drought were the hallmarks of their lives because they left the Lord's house in ruin while each of them was busy with his own house (Haggai 1:9). The sting of that rebuke must have been convicting, much as it is to us today when we confess that our focus is anywhere but on the Lord. Often our greatest priorities are, indeed, our houses and earthly pursuits.
Jesus Christ's own words to us urge us to seek Him before all other things and then see how what we long for will be ours as well. This is no magic formula...pray to God and go to church and you'll get a new car and house. Rather, Jesus invites us to place our heart's desire on Him and His righteousness, and we will see our hopes and longings shift and line up with what God also wants for us. He knows what's best!
Insight: God should come first in our lives, and we should hold all that we are and have in trust for Him. The Christian life is a stewardship.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
+DEV+ A Few Good Men
Date: November 10, 2010 7:12 PM
Topic: +DEV+ A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:1, 3).
Scripture Focus: Daniel 6:10-16
The Marines are looking for a few good men. So is God! Actually, He is looking for many good men-and women-who will resist the pressure to honor twenty-first century idols. With courage and faith these are people who struggle daily to keep God on the throne of life so that materialism, pleasure, fame, and other diversions do not take His place. These people include you and me!
Though Daniel and his friends were taken from Jerusalem and transplanted in Babylon, they maintained their strong faith in the true God. Daniel's friends refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's image (Daniel 3), though failure to do so meant death. Years later, Daniel kept up his practice of praying to God three times daily, even as King Darius' decree forbid anyone to pray to anyone except him for 30 days. Those who defied the order would be thrown into a lions' den (Daniel 6).
In every crisis God protected each of His uncompromising servants. Will we trust Him to protect us when we refuse to bow to the culture's idols?
Insight: Those who dare to stand for the Truth, find God standing alongside them. We are never alone!
Topic: +DEV+ A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:1, 3).
Scripture Focus: Daniel 6:10-16
The Marines are looking for a few good men. So is God! Actually, He is looking for many good men-and women-who will resist the pressure to honor twenty-first century idols. With courage and faith these are people who struggle daily to keep God on the throne of life so that materialism, pleasure, fame, and other diversions do not take His place. These people include you and me!
Though Daniel and his friends were taken from Jerusalem and transplanted in Babylon, they maintained their strong faith in the true God. Daniel's friends refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's image (Daniel 3), though failure to do so meant death. Years later, Daniel kept up his practice of praying to God three times daily, even as King Darius' decree forbid anyone to pray to anyone except him for 30 days. Those who defied the order would be thrown into a lions' den (Daniel 6).
In every crisis God protected each of His uncompromising servants. Will we trust Him to protect us when we refuse to bow to the culture's idols?
Insight: Those who dare to stand for the Truth, find God standing alongside them. We are never alone!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
+DEV+ How Close to Judgment?
Date: November 9, 2010 9:30 PM
Topic: +DEV+ How Close to Judgment?
How Close to Judgment?
"Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you..." (Nehemiah 9:35).
Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 17:5-20
The Northern Kingdom of Israel went into captivity about 150 years before Judah, the Southern Kingdom, met a similar fate. The reason for Israel's earlier demise? She embraced idolatry proudly under a succession of wicked kings. On the other hand, some of Judah's kings were righteous and instituted revivals in which the people destroyed their idols and returned to God. Still, in the long run, both kingdoms ignored God's blessings and His pleadings to worship Him.
Christians in Western nations often ask how much longer God will withhold the judgment we deserve. It seems our moral and spiritual failures are carrying us swiftly downhill, speeding to destruction. Idols like humanism, materialism, secularism, and hedonism push us on this perilous ride.
God alone has the right to determine the time and nature of judgment. Here and now we can pray for revival and stand resolutely for righteousness, knowing that the One who has stood in our place shouldered all the wrath of God for us.
Insight: When evil advances, Christians may help thwart it and see God draw a nation to Himself one heart at a time.
Topic: +DEV+ How Close to Judgment?
How Close to Judgment?
"Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you..." (Nehemiah 9:35).
Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 17:5-20
The Northern Kingdom of Israel went into captivity about 150 years before Judah, the Southern Kingdom, met a similar fate. The reason for Israel's earlier demise? She embraced idolatry proudly under a succession of wicked kings. On the other hand, some of Judah's kings were righteous and instituted revivals in which the people destroyed their idols and returned to God. Still, in the long run, both kingdoms ignored God's blessings and His pleadings to worship Him.
Christians in Western nations often ask how much longer God will withhold the judgment we deserve. It seems our moral and spiritual failures are carrying us swiftly downhill, speeding to destruction. Idols like humanism, materialism, secularism, and hedonism push us on this perilous ride.
God alone has the right to determine the time and nature of judgment. Here and now we can pray for revival and stand resolutely for righteousness, knowing that the One who has stood in our place shouldered all the wrath of God for us.
Insight: When evil advances, Christians may help thwart it and see God draw a nation to Himself one heart at a time.
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