Chewing on God's Word

It is curious that this particular sermon series has become such a personally convicting piece. Especially considering all the time I have spent reading about Affluenza, discerning verses for the daily readings, and even putting the study guide together.

One would think I must have gleaned everything out of this topic there was for me to glean, but, each Sunday as I listened to the message shared by the preachers, I have gone home with a lot to think about. And even more for me to change about myself, my character and my actions.

Week one I discovered that my love of financial security is the root of evil in my heart. I put more trust in my 401K than in God. Week two I learned how important it is for me to flee from this distrust and to submit my security to the One who loves me most. Week three was another big one for me: generosity. When I am convicted to help someone, and I have the means to do this, I need to act. And I need to act anonymously (this is my duty, not necessarily yours) and with a generous spirit.

I am still chewing on week four - Stewardship. I heard a few things that spoke to my heart. I need to practice stewardship by recognizing all that I have and taking proper care of it all. Sometimes that means to share with others, sometimes it means to give it away. But always it means I must view my 'stuff' as just that, 'stuff' and to hold on loosely.

Colossians 3:23-24

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1

This past year has been an eye-opener for me.  I never thought of myself as one to worship anything but God.  Then my husband died and my life became unstable.  I found myself fearful because the anchor and the security I felt were no longer with me.  I discovered my idol was financial security.

Idolatry, a serious problem even today, takes a different form than in Paul's time. We don't put our trust in statues of wood and stone but in paper money and plastic cards. But, we get into the same trouble the Corinthian people did.  We face God's displeasure.  The Bible teaches putting our trust in anything but God is idolatry. What is a modern day idol for you?  When we recognize those things we put before God we can begin to understand Paul's words to "flee from the worship of idols". 

"Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?  Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf." (1 Corinthians 10:14-17)

My devotional reading each day challenge me to accept the fact that I am made stronger through trials, my faith grows when heartache and pain enter my life.  I resisted this concept for months, enjoying the occasional pity party as I allowed the loss of my husband and then my idol (security) to imprison my happiness.  I was shackled by chains of fear and doubt.  Slowly, God has been revealing to me that He is all I need.  His grace is sufficient for me.  Is there an idol in your life?

Read the 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 text here.  Listen to an audio reading of 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 here.