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| A God who does things vs. gods who ARE things (nothing more) |
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As Christians, we have a God who does things (for us), yet often we chase after gods who are things (and nothing more). Our God is living, responsive, and GIVES, whereas all other gods only TAKE. They take our time, our attention, our energy, our devotion, our wealth, etc. There’s no limit to what they can, and will, take. They would quickly take everything away from us, if we chose to let them. And not only do they take from us, but they also take from God. They take what is rightfully his. He purchased us with the blood of his Son, even though he already had full rights to us as the workmanship of his hands. His double ownership of us spells double trouble for those who insist on rejecting him in favor of these usurpers.
Our God continually woos us. But other gods woo us too. Every day thousands of little choices are made. To whose advances will we yield? There should be no contest!!! Yet the unlikeliest thing happens, again and again and again. The dead wins out over the Living. Like Eve, we are deceived!! We are lied to and manipulated, told that which is dead has more to offer, is more relevant, is more stylish and hip, will make this life easier and more enjoyable, will get us where we need to go.
Will we continue to choose our dead gods, who victimize and then taunt us, over the living God, who continues to give even while waiting patiently for acknowledgement? The book of Ecclesiastes has MUCH to say about the choice before us. According to the author, everything “under the sun” (on this planet during our life) is meaningless (vain, empty), including wisdom, pleasure, folly, toil and achievements, inheritance, advancement, an abundance of words, riches, laughter, and more!
I wonder what my life would be like if I never fell for the lies, never failed to choose my living God over the dead gods arrayed all around me? I imagine that I would never be found fatigued, beaten down and drained, like some kind of lifeless zombie. Rather, life would always be full and meaningful, joyous and powerful. Absolutely no worries, no doubt, no frustration, no hopelessness. Am I dreaming the impossible? |
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| To add a comment to "A God who does things vs. gods who ARE things (nothing more)" |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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| i really liked this blog . It really blessed me. What a way to put it "We serve a God that does things, not a gods who are things" |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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Another GREAT one Mike! You know...I think the line that got me in this the most, was that part about a living God continuing to GIVE even while waiting PATIENTLY for acknowledgment! I capped the two words for my self...but it is so true.
So much food here Mike....great thoughts....great words. Thanks! |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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"Absolutely no worries, no doubt, no frustration, no hopelessness. Am I dreaming the impossible?"
hummm... look at the time Jesus spent on the planet.
He cried at the death of his friend. He got upset with the merchants.
He was moved. With compassion- righteous anger- sadness We won't get to your quote there till the other side It's all about how you wanna deal with what you are dealt |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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One word... Idolatry.
What are we placing on the pedestal in our life? What do we bow down to in our daily walk?
There should only be one response but we all know that's not the case. |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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| Ecclesiastes also speaks about a time for every thing under heaven...maybe even time for buying into the lie so that we can learn to seek the truth from our folly and ignorance (or would that be our disobedience?) |
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| July 22, 2008 |
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I don't think what you're dreaming is so impossible Mike...Go for it! I am reminded of many of the people who comprise the 'great hall of faith' spoken of in Hebrews. I think the world will always beset us with trials...those other gods are always hot on our heels...but we take shelter in the shadow of His wings, He hides us in the cleft of the Rock, joy comes in the morning...and we find beauty when others see mere ashes. Hmmmm..sounds like He gives more than enough!
'I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.' Test the promise!
This is great stuff, here my friend! A million stars to you! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| Why is it so hard to choose the good way? When it feels so much better then the wrong way... Sheesh, sometimes I can be be sooo hard headed. Awesome and timely reminder. Thank you and...grace and peace to you ! =0) |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Mike once again you have come up with another powerful blog ;o). You said..
Rather, life would always be full and meaningful, joyous and powerful. Absolutely no worries, no doubt, no frustration, no hopelessness. Am I dreaming the impossible?
I would say no you are not.....This is what I'm living for every day....Just look at the news and in our neighborhoods....My friend JESUS is soon to come...and when He comes He shall rule and reign on this earth for 1,000 years.....Is that so far outside of our reach??? I can assure you that it is not..for even in *this generation* we shall see the culmination of end time bible prophecy, and just as it is recorded in the Word of God....even the Revelation of Jesus Christ, it shall certainly come to pass....
21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Oh yes my friend....JESUS shall reign here on this earth for 1000 years, and Righteousness and Peace...Truth and Justice shall prevail....And nothing is or shall be impossible with Him. There will be no place for idol gods...distractions, ya dah ya dah ya dah..All attention will be to the Most High God, Who is the Only True and Living God, and with His help....we can begin the process now....and occupy until He comes ;o) Keep looking up Mike...Your redemption draweth near!!!! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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"I wonder what my life would be like if I never fell for the lies, never failed to choose my living God over the dead gods arrayed all around me? I imagine that I would never be found fatigued, beaten down and drained, like some kind of lifeless zombie. Rather, life would always be full and meaningful, joyous and powerful. Absolutely no worries, no doubt, no frustration, no hopelessness. Am I dreaming the impossible?"
No Mike, not the impossible, but sometimes it seems that way. Keep lifting all before Him, and release your burdens upon Him. He will give you life rather than that zombie feeling.
I'll keep dreaming with you as we rely on Him give us strength to fufill that dream.
peace |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun. 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 4:3 Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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1 John 5:21 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. NKJV 1 John 5:20-21 The true God is opposed to the false gods, the idols. An idol is man's conception of god. God made man is His image; now men make gods in their own image! Read Rom 1:21 ff. Note that John affirms that Jesus Christ is the true God! Obedience, love, and truth are the key thoughts in this epistle. They are the evidence of salvation and the essentials of fellowship, the secret of true and abiding life. (from Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Copyright © 1992 by Chariot Victor Publishing, an imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved.) Mike, I am convinced that though materialism has had it’s way in our hearts, poor stewardship of time and resources our plague, it is the worship of "a god of our liking" that is the true idol of man.
Thank you for this blog. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| What a wonderful blog and it gives me an opportunity to share something with all. Four years ago 7-18-04 I returned to Jesus after being parted over 30 years. He turned me in the opposite direction, forgiving me of my sins as I gave Him my all. Nothing left, but he took that nothing and begin making it, molding it and using it for his glory. Even then I held onto a little god called habit. A habit of over 35 years and as the Lord dealt with my heart for several weeks to give up that habit. Within myself I knew I couldn't but one day he ask a question of me. "Do you love me more than these (cigarettes)." I had to hang my head in shame as I said, "no Lord, I love the cigarettes more however, forgive me and help me to be an over-comer and get my priorities straight." Three days later I laid them down, depending on him, and Praise the Lord I haven't picked them up since 9-12-04 for I have been delivered. I am not saying that cigarettes will keep you out of heaven however, it maybe that by surrendering them I won't smell like smoke when I get there. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Larry, what a wonderful word of testimony! Thanks for posting it here, it fits well.
Tonya and LV, right on, it's idolatry for sure. And when we give our hearts, adultery as well. Good points.
Joe L, great scriptures, Eccl. is probably my fav book of the bible.
Glenn, I'm glad we're dreaming together. I think the dream will be gradually realized, little by little, as we strive for the rest of our lifetimes.
Thanks Margie, I'm lookin forward to the day, sister! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Amen Elizabeth! Their seductive power is subtle, the attraction often innocent at first. Excellent comment!
Christeena, thank you too for another powerful word of testimony. Seems the Holy Spirit has convicted you. Conviction can be a beautiful thing! It's also good to have examples of undistracted living, like the fella you mentioned.
Good observation Carrie Ann, the Word says anything is possible in Christ Jesus. My hopes are raised!
Robin, what can I say, other than I can identify? :-) |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Sterling, thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate knowing you were blessed.
Amber, by "wooing" I simply meant enticing, tempting, kind of like the temptation to skip prayer time in order to wash your car, or watch tv or something. Idols take many forms in a person's life, basically anything on which we place more importance than our Lord. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Mike,
I read LV's comment: Where he is talking about "what" I am speaking of "whom" we worship. We need to always compare the god of our mind, to the God who has revealed Himself in His word. Are they always the same? Hmmmm..... Food for thought. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| AH< TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM! BUT IT IS TRUELY IMPOSSIBLE? I THINK NOT! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| Other gods demand our love and offer us nothing in return, God's Love endures FOREVER. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| Powerful blog! Gives a lot to ponder. I like the fact that you reminded us we serve a God of action! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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| Other gods take...Our God enriches.... |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Mike, You can't have Ecclesiastes. It's mine!!!!! ;) Actually I might be willing to trade part of Ecclesiastes (but not Chapter 3) for Job. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Tonya, wow that's a thought! I must agree, not always the same. (I see you've adopted purple as your signature color....will be easy to recognize your comments!)
Patti, an optimist!! Yay! (Little by little though, not counting on overnight change.)
Brad, well put!! Very well put!
Thanks Shirley! Yes indeed he is. How can we settle for the gods of inaction, dead things?
Pastor Tim, I've left scratch marks on many things!
Amen Cher!
Norm, I could let you have ch. 3. Wait, let me reread it first. |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Ruth, I have a feeling the dream will be largely realized if I continue to grow spiritually, but alas, I set the bar too high, didn't I? Well, we all need something to strive for.....
Val - thank you! Isn't it beautiful, God waits! He is faithful, and he is longsuffering. Two qualities I sorely lack. In time, my friend, in time....
Birdie, you have an amazing way with words, very lyrical. Thanks for honoring me! |
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| July 23, 2008 |
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Mike, You had your chance. :) 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3:2a says "A time to pick your book and chapter." :) The interesting thing about this blog to me is that lately I have been thinking about what defines a "god". Most of us think of there being angels and demons, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Satan, but are there other spritiual beings? 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me. What does that mean? I mean do "gods" mean material, non-living entities? I look on the Baals and the other beings referenced as gods that show up in the Bible not because I want to worship them (well I say that now, I'm sure I've fallen short and worshipped at an alter I shouldn't have some time in my life), but because I wonder if we get ourselves in trouble by dismissing the idea that there might be beings that are "gods". An example would be thinkng that if someone is a Muslim, it's OK because although they have a different word for God, at least they know (a) "god". Anyways, back to digging. ;) |
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| July 24, 2008 |
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| Powerful ideas here. I think of how easy it is to let the computer, or the television, or even that extra slice of chocolate layer cake, become a god that takes my eyes off the living God of the universe. |
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| July 24, 2008 |
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| Thanks for the comment Lee! You've named some powerful gods there: tv, computer, chocolate cake - lol. Definitely all these present stiff competition for our attention...definitely! |
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| July 24, 2008 |
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Dear Mike, we will always try to serve God, i think. But as for your last question.. if u ask me.. yes, we might b asking for the impossible there. Until Kingdom come Aravind. |
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| July 24, 2008 |
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I am sure u can read my thoughts here.. :) Maybe there is no other way than striving for perfection. But then if i cant become perfect in serving God,i ask myself, why even Bother to try? Then the answer would be.. for His sake. Give me good on this one! :) Aravind. |
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| July 25, 2008 |
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| "for His sake" .... Aravind, that's beautiful! I imagine our walk with Lord can be a lifelong process towards perfection, as long as we continually strive to know him better, serve him more faithfully, love him stronger, etc. My friend, I have a feeling you are on the right track. God bless you! |
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| July 25, 2008 |
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| No you are not dreaming the impossible. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. You are growing in grace and as you grow you will continue to mature and God will continue to increase in you and Mike will continue to decrease. Keep on focusing on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith and you will see that when you set your mind on things above the gods of this world will fade away. |
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| July 25, 2008 |
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| Yes, like J the B, I need to decrease! (Hey, I can almost hear you singing, Todd. Boy can you carry a tune! lol) |
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| July 28, 2008 |
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| another good one, you know I was just talking with my dad about this topic. He is working in Saudi Arabia, and he said one thing he can say about this country he hates being in is that they are devoted to their god, Ala.... even if they are entirely mislead spiritually, how beautiful a site it would be if christians, especially in the USA would stop several times a day, no matter where they are, no matter what they are doing and, just stop everything to take a few minutes to publically praise and worship the ONE TRUE GOD. |
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| July 28, 2008 |
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Tammy, what an interesting thought! You know, I've thought this myself in the past. But I wonder, what does it really say when we do something so regularly and predictably that we can set a watch to it? (I don't know, just wondering....seems kinda mechanical to me all of a sudden.) |
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| July 28, 2008 |
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| true, and who wants their relationship to become routine...I guess I was kinda awed by the possibility of such consistent diligence in a vast number of christians, it would be amazing to see such commitment and love.... if it were genuine of course. |
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| July 28, 2008 |
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| Tam, I agree, to be motivated to such an extent as that, BY LOVE, is indeed awesome!! And only we could! |
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