In today's reading, we see Samuel telling the people they need to return to the Lord with all their hearts and that the only way to do this is to turn away from the foreign gods and idols they had been serving. When I see those words "foreign gods" and "idols," I'm tempted to read that literally so I can say I don't have an issue with them. But the fact of the matter is, we all have foreign gods and idols in our lives. We just need to recognize and identify them. So as I read this morning, I asked God to put on my heart one thing I could share with all of you that is an idol for me. Here it is--the use of my time. I'm a type A personality, and I fill my schedule to the brink pretty much every day. That can be ok, but not always, particularly when I start letting my busy schedule get in the way of my time with God. The last couple of weeks have been really crazy busy for me. As you know I've been traveling. Instead of cutting out things to make room for that, though, I just crammed all the things I normally do in with my travel. (Not the best plan, by the way.) Now I didn't stop reading my Bible during this time, but it really hit me this weekend as I was in the airport, that although I had been reading, I had, for the most part, neglected to slow down and have what I needed most--some intimate, personal time with God through His Word. Pretty sad that my best time with God in the last two weeks was while I was waiting in an airport terminal and on my plane rides. So, here I am again, getting ready to head out for another week on the road, and this time, it's going to be different. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I'm going to show Him that He deserves the first of my time--not the leftovers.
So are you up for a little challenge today? Ask the Lord what idols are in your life, and then ask Him to help you put them aside. As tough as that may be, you'll be glad you did it. Then, if you're willing, let us know what you discover and how you're planning on moving forward. We'll pray for you because we are all doing this together. And I'd sure love it if you prayed for me, too. Have a great week! Tami W.
Ok, I must really be dim. I still can't find the answers to the questions. Is there some link I'm missing?
The answers can be found on "Your Power Plan" page which is a large button at the bottom of the P4 Web site homepage. There are two reading schedules listed. The first has the reading and questions only. And if you keep scrolling down, and you'll see the same reading plan with answers to selected questions. Hope that helps!
Good morning.
Tami, just so you know, I've been praying for you, and Back to the Bible, trusting God for answering the prayers according to HIS will. Halleluja.
And as an idol for me, wow, I have to admit, cant even count them all. But one of them would be spending time at work. I do spend my time with God everyday in the morning, read His Word, before I do something else, except grab a cup of coffee.
And the rest of the day, I'm walking in prayer a lot, even at my work, as I work, I pray. Somebody is popping up in my Heart, and then I pray right there and then for that person, sometimes I even go to a different room, kneel myself and then pray for that somebody.
Since I work all by myself at a farm, usually there is nobody else around. But still, I believe that that isn't enough time I spend with God. I believe He deserves everything. Glory to God.
I also have a question, hopefully somebody can help me out here. Thanks ahead. For me, I always think that what ever we do, like work, or something else, as long as we do'it for the Lord, that that counts also giving our time to God, right?
Thanks again. God bless you.
From the previous book we were studying in P4 - Galatians, a certain verse struck me and I think it fits within this "idol" picture for my life. The verse is Gal. 1:10 - "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." I think sometimes I worry more about what others are thinking rather than solely focusing on what God is thinking of this situation or of how I'm acting, etc. This verse and Samuel's call to put away foreign idols is a good reminder that what God thinks is all that matters. Paul wouldn't have been very effective at spreading the gospel to the Gentiles if he had cared more about what his peers or the unbelievers were thinking rather than what God wanted him to tell them. He was a great example of putting God before all else. What could I possibly be missing out on if I don't put this "idol" away?
Susanna,
Thanks for the blog and the question. When we complete tasks or services for the Lord, most certainly that is giving our time to God and, provided we're doing those things with the right heart and attitude, God is pleased with that. But while doing things for the Lord is good, it is not the same as, nor should it take the place of, personal time with God. It's through the one-on-one intimate time that we have with God through His Word and prayer where we grow in our understanding of Him and what He has for us. So it's important to have both time in the Word combined with prayer and also to give other time to God as well. Hope that makes sense. Thanks. Tami W.
Thanks a lot Tami.
Ok, I get it now. Thank you very much for that. May God give you more and more wisdom, as you try to help people like me, and also at BTTB ministry, and so many different areas. God be with you. Susanna.