The Lies We Believe

I have a problem; I don't want to miss out on things. I will run myself ragged doing things simply because I think I will miss something if I don't. I've had this problem as long as I can remember, but now it's beginning to take its toll on me. I'm not sure what name you would give it, but I'm pretty sure it has become an idol in my life. Hanging out with friends, facebook, texting, email...they are all things I look to to feel included, accepted, and loved. The irony is that I often find myself doing or saying something that makes me feel completely stupid. The Lord has been talking to me about this for a few weeks now but I've been pushing it aside; maybe it's time I start listening.

The second point from Bob's sermon Sunday was "Unmask the idols of your Heart." Our idols will tell us lies in order to keep us from exposing them. One of those lies is that if I say no to my idol, I will be all alone, Christ won't show up, and He won't be sufficient for me. Basically, my idols mock Christ's sufficiency. Another lie is that it will feel like death, or I will be miserable, if I say no to my idol/s. I am promised that I will actually become more alive and more free than ever before but I'm not sure I really believe that one yet.

Tonight, I decided to take the first step in unmasking that idol I mentioned earlier. Well, that's not exactly true. I wish I could say that I made that decision, but I was so worn out that I just couldn't bring myself to take part in the plans for the night. You know what? I survived! It didn't kill me and I actually enjoyed it (I think it helped that my roommate was home). It wasn't an exciting night, but it was a good one. I watched Big Brother, read my Bible and Steph and I went to Publix.

Here is one of the verses that I read tonight: "The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply." Ps. 16:4

I guess God is serious about us not having other gods before Him, and He is faithful to show us those things which we do place before Him. The bottom line is that Christ is all I need, anything else is just icing. I wish it were as easy to believe as it is to say. This advise is for me and for my friend who is still looking for the hope in all of this: continue preaching His promises to yourself and being obedient, and eventually the head knowledge will turn to heart knowledge.

Repent, Believe and FIGHT!

American Idols - Season 2

Bob finished his American Idols sermons today. As thought-provoking and challenging as last week was, it would have been easy to walk away feeling condemned or hopeless. A friend, talking about today's sermon, asked if we would be given hope today. The answer? Yes! Just as he always does, Bob brought us back to the Gospel in American Idols - Season 2. The Gospel isn't just the power of God for salvation, it is also the power of God to free us from the idols that would destroy us. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope. Because of Christ, God looks kindly and favorably toward us, no matter what! It gives us the power to say "no" to our idols, as well as encourage others to say "no." Believing this makes it okay to ask the hard questions:

• "What is my greatest nightmare/what do I worry about most?"
  
• "What do I rely on or comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult?"
  
• "What preoccupies me?"
  
• "What unanswered prayer would make me seriously think about turning away from God?"
• "What makes me feel the most self-worth/what am I most proud of?"
  
• "What do I really want and expect out of life/what do I think would really make me happy?"

These questions are very overwhelming and that's okay. We need to look at our sin and even ask our Father to show it to us, however (I'm reminded), for every glance we take at our sin, we need to gaze upon the cross 10 times more. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

As I was typing this, the following song came on my iTunes:

Just the Way I Am
Words and Music by Mike Weaver
... God’s “I love you” was signed, sealed, and delivered to us when Jesus died on the cross.
There’s nothing we can do to affect His end of the deal!
Now our “I love you” back is learning to simply trust and obey.

Unbelievable, I’m blown away it’s true
By the matchless love that I’ve found in You
Undeniable, the change in me
I’ve never felt so free
It makes me want to dance
You make me want to dance
When I think about how
You love me, You love me
You love me just the way I am
You love me, You love me
You love me just the way,
Just the way I am
Ever patiently accepting me
You love in spite of everything I do
But oh so faithfully
You’re committed to the process that makes me like You
And I feel like I can dance
Oh You make me want to dance
When I think about how
Not when I’m good enough
Not when I clean my act up
Not when I cross that line the thousandth time
And become a better man
Your grace is more than enough
To cover all my sins You washed them away
So right here today
You love me just the way I am

Run to the cross, and dance!