Focus on God and God Only....

The Bible challenges us to stay focused on God and Him only.  We are commanded to 'set our minds on things above' -Colossians 3 and put no gods before Him which is the first of the 10 commandments.  Throughout the Old Testament God is calling His people to stop worshiping other gods. Turn from their sin and seek the face of God. The people of God would build physical statues out of gold, wood or whatever they could find. They would put their devotion to this other god and not to the God Almighty. It is like Gods people felt like they were missing something. They never seemed to be satisfied and content. The book of Haggai 1:4-6 is a great example of idolatry. 

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” . 

 This describes the world we live in today. Since the beginning people have always tried to find satisfaction with other “gods”. We can see that the God of Hosts is challenging His people to trust Him and look to Him. To build His house (church), which lies in ruins and not their own house. God even says that if the people build His house first He will pour out a blessing so they will be satisfied and not have a need to feel like they have to worship other gods. All this is important for all of us who want to share the Good news with others.  If we are out worshiping other gods and following the ways of this world we will become stagnant and will miss opportunities to share the Gospel.

1 John 2:13-15 says 

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."

The worlds ways offer nothing because it is not of God.  Our flesh is never satisfied and is always wanting to bind us up to be non fruitful for the kingdom.  As the body of Christ we must kill the desires for the world and desire God Almighty more than anything.  His will be done, His kingdom advance, seek after His presence and not the world.

In the next blogs I want to talk more about these two scriptures.  Ask God to show you where there are gods in your life that are hindering you.  Ask God to show you where your love for the world is to strong.  I pray this:

Father in the Name of Jesus I pray for me and my fellow brothers and sisters to know the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  That we may walk worthy of you and bear fruit in all that we do.  Thank you Jesus that you love us and want others to come and know you.  Help us become bold and fearless to share our faith and proclaim the Gospel, in Jesus Name..... Amen