Bible Study: Man Made Gods 07.17.10

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Today is Saturday July 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 132-138. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-17

Today's Message: Man Made Gods
Throughout the Bible you will often read that God is above all gods or something similar. “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” - Psalm 135:5. To many Christians, especially new Christians, this can be a bit confusing since we learn that there is only One God. The truth is that there is only One God, now, God is in three persons, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but all three are One body. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” - I John 5:7. Jesus is the Word made flesh, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made....And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1-3,14. This can be a bit confusing, but if you think about it, we can all be three persons in one. I am a daughter, a sister, and an aunt, I am still one body, but three different people at the same time. Yet, without one of them I would not be any of them. It is important that we realize even though we have One God, we need all three persons to know any of them. Without the Father, we do not exist, without Jesus we can not know the Father, and without the Holy Spirit we can not know Jesus.

Now, concerning the rest of the gods, these are all man made gods. The truth of this is that people get tired of waiting on God so they come up with their own god or gods thinking they will get a quicker response. This is confirmed in the Book of Exodus, “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him....And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” - Exodus 32:1,3,4. Moses was up on the mount getting instructions from God and the people were getting impatient waiting for him to come down so they made their own gods. So, when God is saying, “I am above all gods” He is saying, I am the One and only true God and superior to all your man made gods.

You know the phrase, “Don't go to bed angry”? Well, it is natural to get angry form time to time, even Jesus got angry, but we are to “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” - Ephesians 4:26,27. Often man made gods are created when people get angry with God. Yes, it is okay to get angry and even ask God questions when we just do not understand what is going on. It is a sin to question His authority, He knows what is going on and what is best for us and often it is something we do not understand, but we can find hope in God through our questions. We just have to listen and wait patiently for Him to to answer and never go to bed being angry with God. “Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” - Psalm 132:1-5. We are to never go to bed angry, especially without knowing where God is. God dwells within every person who knows Jesus Christ, so, He is always with you, you just have to be patient and trust in Him as He knows what is best for you.

Interestingly enough, anything can become a persons god. You see, the soul desires life and when it is feeling lifeless it will either look to the flesh or the spirit (what gives us life) to find life. If one is seeking life through the flesh than the soul thirsts for more to fulfill the flesh, likewise, if it is seeking life through the Spirit (which is God) the soul thirsts for more to fulfill the spirit. This is where many seek false gods to give life to their spirit, when they are feeling hopeless and discontent they seek comfort it in the form of material things, money, or people, something that makes them feel better about themselves and gives them hope. Sadly, this is where so many faithful Christians turn from God and go to false gods and religions. “For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalm 135:14-21. Blessed are those who remain faithful to God no matter how difficult or hopeless things look. He will always give hope and comfort to those who remain faithful to Him. Satan is slick, he knows just enough Scripture and does just enough to give a little bit of hope to get a person convinced that my god works so he can get a hold of that lifeless soul. It is so important that we never lose sight of God's Word, it is our only defense against Satan.

Since Jesus is the Word made flesh that means that we are to know Jesus, the only way to know Jesus is to accept Him as your Savior. Once you know Jesus, the Father knows you and the Holy Spirit moves in to help you learn His Word. You see, that is why it is important to know that while there is only One God, we need all three persons in Him in order to learn, understand, and do what God brought us here for. “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul....Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” - Psalm 138:1-3,6-8. It is only because of God's mercy that we can even be saved. Praise God for His mercy endure forever!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and a wonderful weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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