Idols

"You shall have no other gods before me." -Deuteronomy 5:7

Today we don't have to worry about worshipping golden calves or Zeus and the other Greek gods. In our everyday life we don't have these religious fanatics who take things to extremes. Painting bodies. Wearing ridiculous costumes. Chanting and dancing for their idols. Even building large temples to worship their idols in. We don't have to worry about this… or do we? If you turn your TV on to any sports channel, is that not what you are watching? We get all dressed up, we put on face paint and start chants. We host tailgate parties and after game parties. I'm not saying watching football is wrong at all, but it can be if you let it get to the point of becoming a god. A god is what we sacrifice for and what we pursue. In our culture we have turned things like football games and cellphones into gods. No longer do we worship the true and living God alone, but also the god of food, the god of sex, the god of entertainment, the god of money, the god of success, and the god of achievement. The largest "god" that we worship is ourselves. We are so caught up on how things can make us more popular or how we can grab the spotlight that often we throw God out the window until we need something from Him again. When we have to choose between God and something we want, who do we choose? So if you start scratching at whatever struggle you're dealing with, eventually you'll find that underneath it is a false god. Until that god is dethroned, and the Lord God takes his rightful place, you will not have victory.

What gods are you worshipping?

Suffering

Are you suffering because of something in your past or a sin you're currently struggling with? Understand that God does not want to see you suffer. A loving God does not enjoy the suffering that comes your way, but His compassionate love and care will see you through your times of pain.

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." -Hebrews 2:18

Recognize that Jesus himself suffered for you. He suffered the agonies of the Cross, which was incredible physical suffering, but he also bore the unimaginable weight of the sins of the world.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." -Romans 8:18

We need to remember that suffering is not forever and will end when those who believe in Jesus are welcomed into heaven. Ask God to ease your pain and ask for help to overcome whatever is hindering you.

" He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

God's Grace

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sometimes we tend to let the shame of our sin get in the way of repenting of our sin. We get the idea in our heads that we can't be forgiven because we have committed that certain sin time and time again. But we can. God's grace is amazing. Grace is God showing His love to you even though you don't deserve it. You can't earn God's grace. You do not deserve to be saved from sin and to have eternal life. But God showed His grace by saving you from sin's punishment when you trusted in Jesus as your Savior. God also shows His grace by giving you strength and guidance, and by taking care of you each day. God, by His grace, gives you strength to handle difficult problems in your life. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can be thankful that God saved you by His grace. You can also depend on God each day for the grace you need to live for Him. Because God shows His grace to you, you should show His grace to others. Have you ever thanked God for His grace in your life?

Slave to Sin

"Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." - (John 8:34 ESV)

We know the consequences of sin, and we all know the beginning of Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death, duh we know that. But what is the other half of the verse? Many times we just brush off the rest, but the truth is, the rest of that verse is our answer to sin. The second half of that verse is our hope. For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." -John 8:36

Even though we sin and do not deserve eternal life, God sent his Son to free us from sin. He paid our debt. He suffered on the cross for each and every one of us. For God SO loved the world. That includes me and that includes you. For God loved you so much that he sent his only Son to save you and give you the gift of eternal life.

Have you attempted to live a life worthy of His sacrifice?

Addiction

Are you addicted to something? It is a problem that we repeat over and over even though we know it is not good for us. Many times when we think of addiction, we think of drugs or alcohol or gambling. But addictions that are much more common, and often over looked, for example are: boyfriends/girlfriends, food, video games, social media and even pornography. All of which are detrimental to our body's health and most importantly our spiritual health. In Romans 7:13-20, Apostle Paul is talking about sin, and how he continues to do the very thing he hates, and he talks about how it is the sin that dwells within that does what he does not want. Like Paul, many of us have became a slave to sin. So, let me ask this again, are you addicted to something?