No Other gods

"You shall have no other gods before me". Exodus 20:3

There is only one true God. We are to worship only Him. But how many of us look to many other idols or god's to satisfy us? I thought about this during the recent broadcast of the Academy Awards in Hollywood. How many people idolize celebrities? I have done it, I confess. The children of the legendary Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field, Jesse Owens, whose life is depicted in the recent hit movie release 'Race' said as children, they were unaware their dad was famous. There wasn't TV like today and all the hoopla. Now we elevate celebrities almost above God.

Maybe your 'god' isn't a person, but instead a hobby, the lottery, a career, an obsession of sorts you spend most of your free time on. Our lives need proper balance in order to insure what is important truly is identifiable as important, not just because we say it is. Do you elevate anything else higher than God? Think that over and ask God to reveal to you if you do and convict you of it. 

The Oscars sadly push agendas and in many ways are devoid of God. I keep waiting for a recipient to look up and thank Jesus for their talent and success. I choose to not watch them and try to be careful what films I go to as well. Above all pray for these 'mere men'. We need Jesus. Pure, plain, and simple. Hollywood needs Jesus. Pro athletes need Jesus. Presidents need Jesus. Go seek Him and Him alone today and everyday. He is way better than Oprah or The National Championship in Football.

PRAYER: I am ever so grateful to live in a time when I can go to movies and watch hundreds of TV stations and also have so many things available for me to do. Help me Father to search my heart and make certain nothing I do is being elevated to a god like status. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Celebrity News

You shall have no other god's before me. Exodus 20:3

 What is it about celebrities that fascinates us? We are all just people from different walks of like. The Hollywood actor puts his or her pants on the same way I do but they may cost more money.   As I was in the waiting room of my car dealership recently,  I observed the reaction of others in the room when the caption came on TV "Amy Poehler News".  Was I seated with anticipation of what was to come? I was not,  but it sure made lots of folks in the room look up at the screen.

Celebrity status can ruin a person if they are not careful. When sports figures fresh out of college having a signing to play professional sports at millions of dollars, this money could mark their ruin and demise if they are not careful. When a person starts thinking more highly of themselves, that is a recipe for disaster. We should treat all people the same regardless of life stature and not make someone famous our 'god'.

Lots of valuable time that could have been spent in prayer and getting to know God is wasted daily on meaningless news that does nothing for growing us to be more like Christ. If this is your weak area allow God to transform you to making Him the one true celebrity.

PRAYER:Lord I do not want any other "god" to come before you whether it is people who are famous, your alma mater, your job or any activity I regularly put before you. I want to be transformed to put you truly first. In Jesus' name. Amen.

IDOL WORSHIP

What exactly is idol worship and do you feel you are exempt from it? When I think of idol worship often times I think of those persons who worship statues or animals. Whatever country you are in reading this there may be some sort of idol worshipping. Here in the United States where I am located idol worship can be as simple as putting something else above God. A hobby, a passion, a person. Whatever it is that takes the place of total worship in your life is an idol. For instance, do your thoughts constantly fall on some actor you think is super talented? Maybe a singer? The television show "American Idol" is just that . It is setting up a "star to be worshipped" or admired and followed by voting for a new winner each season. It is how you manage your life and passions that matters. Do you let following other things outweigh or take the place of devotion to God or wanting to be in his house to worship? Could it be Sunday golf, a running race, time on the lake or at the beach? Time to relax and kick back is more important than time alone with God or in His house of worship. Each person has to search his or her own heart on this issue.

Exodus 20:3(NIV) says 'You shall have no other gods before me.' What do you love more than God?

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I never want my love for other things or people to cause you to be ignored. Forgive me if I have done this. Create in me and my loved ones a heart sold out to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.