Laying down more of my idols

As you can see, God was introducing a new point by the fourth plague. And from this plague on, He spared H is children from the devastation, making sure that all the world knew that those who wanted to go and worship Him were treasured and favored and beloved. (Rise Above pg 34)

Wowzers! I want to be treasured, and favored, and beloved. I want the world to see those things within me, and to see how much reward there is for following God with all of my heart, not just the part I am willing to give up. All of it. OH my sisters (and brothers) I am just so broken today. Broken because I was NOT obedient with my eating on Friday night and Saturday. I ate beyond fullness, and often to fill a void of sleep, relief, and because well.. I guess I could. I am glad to be back on track, but goodness. I guess it was the Holiday let down or something. Nope I will not justify sin. I was sinful, and knew it when I did it. I was rebellious and did it anyway. But I will NOT look for "other ways' because God has led me to this way, and I fully know I am being obedient. Not a doubt in my mind.

I wanted to talk some more about idols, and where I feel God has been calling His people for many generations.

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20: 2-6 NIV (Emphasis mine)

How many times do we put idols in our lives? Yearly (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny)? Monthly (PMS cures)? Weekly(pleasing church leadership rather then working to please God)? If we are honest, we would all say daily. How many times have you put a phone call in front of prayer time? How  many times have you sought what your friend thought, rather then what God thought of the situation? Fellowship between believers was never created to replace fellowship with God. I can list (and am, because I want healing in more then one area of my life) many different forms of idolatry I perform on a regular basis.

In the mornings, I tend to rise, get my husband's lunch and breakfast fixed, take a shower, get dressed for the day, pour myself a cup of coffee, and as my husband is walking out the door I can be found clicking on the mouse to stir up the computer when my Lord just sits and waits. Sure, I check email, read a few devotionals online. It's not like I am having an online relationship with someone or doing something immoral,  but am I truly giving God my best, the first fruits? No. So, in my case, my mornings were filled with sin. How much better would my day go if I spent more time in prayer and digging in the Word, rather then just having a quick 5 minute conversation? Praying on the way to work is awesome, but I often don't have enough time to "hear back" before I rush into my day. After school I often am so busy either checking what I missed throughout the day online, that I tend to be lacking as a mom and a wife, a homemaker, and all that my day entails. There are times I put my husband's feelings first, before God's. I put my husband in a position often that places him on a pedestal, and in a place of honor in my heart that only God truly belongs.

I often do things because I want to feel important ~ needed. What if I am putting myself as an idol in my life, doing the things *I* want to do, even when God is calling me to do something different?! I bet if we are all honest with ourselves, each of us could say yes to that one. *MY* time is important. *MY* house hold is important. But.... you know what? Nothing is more important then this relationship between God and I. Nothing!
That is why I am trying to commit to NOT getting online at all in the mornings before 6:30 (AFTER I spend time in the Lord). God is good! He is worth every ounce of my time, my devotion, and my love. Not time online. Not even this blog.
Love in Christ,
Mrs. Sheila
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30
(Pre written on 11/28/2010)