King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 10-13
Message Title: Put Away The Idols
Hello My Friend,
Idols, man made objects of worship. Everyone has some kind of object that they hold on to as a type of security blanket, but rarely do we think f them as idols. Now, there is no power or magic to these things, but if we are not careful we can become dependent upon them. Since God is a jealous God, He will not compete with anything, including objects we look to for comfort. God has all the power to help us through any situation, we must look to Him for help. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13,14.
Old time idols were statues or pictures carved out of wood, usually of a man, animal, or something in that combination, many were overlaid with precious metals such as silver or gold. Through Jeremiah, God tells His people to stay away from idol worshipers and their idols. “Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.” - Jeremiah 10:1-5.
Do you know how many people take these verses out of context? They literally associate this with the Christmas tree. We must look at the bigger picture here, what is being worshiped, it was a tree cut out of the forest. Then the workman or creator of the idol would carve it, work it into shape, and afterwards overlay it with silver and gold to cover the wood. To keep it upright and in its place they would fasten it down with nails so that it would not fall, be thrown down, or stolen. Today, idols are made out of anything, even trees. Ever hear of environmentalists? See the key word in the word, mental? It's in the mind, again, objects have no power, it is the devil who gives power to these things through our minds because he would do anything to get our focus off God, in particular Jesus Christ. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” - 1 Corinthians 10:16,21,22.
Now, the people of Judah and Jerusalem are in hot water for doing the same thing, even the priests had their idols too. Through Jeremiah, God reminds them of the covenant He made with their fathers and the judgment they face for worshiping idols instead of Him. “And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.” - Jeremiah 11:9-12.
It is one thing to just not be knowledgeable about the things of God because we all grow at different levels of our Christianity, it is another to create an image of Him based on our own liking, never having any desire to even know the truth. Remember, ignorance is not a defense, if you were to run a red light not knowing it was red or that you had to stop that still does not stop you from getting hit by oncoming traffic. We must learn all of God, not just that He loves us and has mercy on us, but that He is a just God, who will not put up with us worshiping a type of god and portraying it as Him. “But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” - 1 Corinthians 8:3-6.
A god is also known as someone in high authority, many people will flock to a person and worship them over God. God's anger is not toward the unbelievers here, but toward the ones who know He is the only God, yet choose a false god. Jeremiah is distraught and truly cannot comprehend why there were so many of his people ignoring God. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.” - Jeremiah 12:1,14-17.
Why do those who have walked away from God prosper? They have their reward. God is saying that He will not forget those who remain faithful to Him. Yeah, we might have to go through some suffering by those who are trying to corrupt us, but in the end we will be safe with Jesus. There is also a prophecy here, when Jesus returns all of God's people will return to Jerusalem. God places the wicked among the good so that they can see that what they need is God, but if they never learn, He will take them away. A strong Christian will, in the midst of suffering, remain faithful to God, knowing that he has a wonderful inheritance awaiting him. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” - Colossians 3:23,24.
Today's Prayer: God, Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my heart upon You. Search me, Lord and if there is any evil in me help me to break free from the bondage of it and use my talents for Your glory. Let me not get caught up in idols that complete with You, only look to You for help in every area of my life. I ask this in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Thursday, August 13, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 10-13
Message Title: Put Away The Idols
Hello My Friend,
Idols, man made objects of worship. Everyone has some kind of object that they hold on to as a type of security blanket, but rarely do we think f them as idols. Now, there is no power or magic to these things, but if we are not careful we can become dependent upon them. Since God is a jealous God, He will not compete with anything, including objects we look to for comfort. God has all the power to help us through any situation, we must look to Him for help. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13,14.
Old time idols were statues or pictures carved out of wood, usually of a man, animal, or something in that combination, many were overlaid with precious metals such as silver or gold. Through Jeremiah, God tells His people to stay away from idol worshipers and their idols. “Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.” - Jeremiah 10:1-5.
Do you know how many people take these verses out of context? They literally associate this with the Christmas tree. We must look at the bigger picture here, what is being worshiped, it was a tree cut out of the forest. Then the workman or creator of the idol would carve it, work it into shape, and afterwards overlay it with silver and gold to cover the wood. To keep it upright and in its place they would fasten it down with nails so that it would not fall, be thrown down, or stolen. Today, idols are made out of anything, even trees. Ever hear of environmentalists? See the key word in the word, mental? It's in the mind, again, objects have no power, it is the devil who gives power to these things through our minds because he would do anything to get our focus off God, in particular Jesus Christ. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” - 1 Corinthians 10:16,21,22.
Now, the people of Judah and Jerusalem are in hot water for doing the same thing, even the priests had their idols too. Through Jeremiah, God reminds them of the covenant He made with their fathers and the judgment they face for worshiping idols instead of Him. “And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.” - Jeremiah 11:9-12.
It is one thing to just not be knowledgeable about the things of God because we all grow at different levels of our Christianity, it is another to create an image of Him based on our own liking, never having any desire to even know the truth. Remember, ignorance is not a defense, if you were to run a red light not knowing it was red or that you had to stop that still does not stop you from getting hit by oncoming traffic. We must learn all of God, not just that He loves us and has mercy on us, but that He is a just God, who will not put up with us worshiping a type of god and portraying it as Him. “But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” - 1 Corinthians 8:3-6.
A god is also known as someone in high authority, many people will flock to a person and worship them over God. God's anger is not toward the unbelievers here, but toward the ones who know He is the only God, yet choose a false god. Jeremiah is distraught and truly cannot comprehend why there were so many of his people ignoring God. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.” - Jeremiah 12:1,14-17.
Why do those who have walked away from God prosper? They have their reward. God is saying that He will not forget those who remain faithful to Him. Yeah, we might have to go through some suffering by those who are trying to corrupt us, but in the end we will be safe with Jesus. There is also a prophecy here, when Jesus returns all of God's people will return to Jerusalem. God places the wicked among the good so that they can see that what they need is God, but if they never learn, He will take them away. A strong Christian will, in the midst of suffering, remain faithful to God, knowing that he has a wonderful inheritance awaiting him. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” - Colossians 3:23,24.
Today's Prayer: God, Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my heart upon You. Search me, Lord and if there is any evil in me help me to break free from the bondage of it and use my talents for Your glory. Let me not get caught up in idols that complete with You, only look to You for help in every area of my life. I ask this in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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