What a thrilling week it has been here at Moody Radio South! While our New Day Cafe focus for most of the week delved into idols lurking within our hearts and unseating Christ from His throne of ultimate priority, we also took two days to partner with Compassion Intentional. We sought sponsors for children in poverty around the globe. THANK YOU for releasing 36 children in the name of Jesus Christ over these two days! These children will not only have food and clothing, but they will also be connected to a local church to teach them the scriptures, introduce them to Jesus, and restore hope for the future.
If you still would like to sponsor a child, restoring them with hope and introducing them to Jesus Christ, you can visit www.moodyradiosouth.fm and click on the Compassion banner!
Next Step Devotional Thought
I think we all know that when we speak of idols we are not talking about statues, alters, or crazy 1970's hippy shrines.When idols are mentioned throughout scripture, it goes much deeper than carved stone; God looks straight to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Where does this issue with idols come from? Why is it so important?
The very first of the ten commandments is found in Exodus 20:3 where God commands, "You shall have no other God's before me." While we do not bow down before poles, wooden snakes, and golden calves today, we bow our hearts down before "idols" every single day. Things like your career, money, influence, control - even good things like your children or ministry vision - can rise up to such a high level of adoration in your life that Christ is unseated from his throne of ultimate priority.
Idols can be hidden deep within us in such a way that we do not recognize the power they hold. Let me ask you this question. Where do you spend the most amount of your time? Where do you spend or give the greatest percentage of your money? Or carrying it a little deeper, what visions or dreams have you held before God for so long that you have become impatient, or even bitter that God has not brought them to fruition? Stop and listen to the Holy Spirit for a moment....if anything was triggered in your spirit through those questions, God might be trying to cleanse you from an idol of the heart.
Let me leave you with this thought - we are what we worship. For the Israelite people, to worship any god before THE God was to say, "We are no longer God's people. We belong to and serve ___." You become what ever your submit your life to, whether that means you are a successful businessman, sacrificing mom, or even the leader of the largest ministry organization in town. None of those things are wrong in themselves, but if you are known for anything other than being a follower of Jesus, I'd encourage you step back a moment and measure what truly is the Lord of your life.
What is sitting on the throne of your heart?....
Interview Recaps
- Pastor Ricky Wyatt - Seek First the Kingdom
- Teasi Cannon - My Big Bottom Blessing - Idolizing your Body Image
- Dee Brestin - Idol Lies - Discoverig Hidden Idols of the Heart
- Compassion International - http://www.compassion.com/
- Don Hawkins - The Danger of Idols
Key Scriptures
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
1 Samuel 16:7b - "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 15:23a - "Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as back as worshipping idols."
1 Cor. 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God
My Next Step
This issue of heart idols is serious folks. These hidden areas of our hearts and minds that are not fully submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ can slip up on you before you know it, slowly clogging your ears and shielding your eyes from the voice and movement of God in your life. I've really asked the Lord to show me any hidden idols in my heart this week, and let me tell you, if you ask the Lord He will show you!
I have to confess that throughout most of my life I have sought approval and acceptance from others. Whether my teachers, parents, or church family, there is this drive within me seeking to be "liked" and valued. You know what? This desire for acceptance is an idol. Each time I turn to man for my identity and approval I am turning away from the throne of grace for which Jesus died to give me access (Heb 4:16). Countless hours focused on something other than Jesus, countless dollars spent, and not to mention countless moments of stress and insecurity are all that I have gained by worshipping my "acceptance idol." Oh if I could only forever stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ that reminds me I am fully accepted, fully loved, and fully qualified for a glorious purpose beyond which anything in this world could compare.
I believe this issue of acceptance is a biggy for many women, especially in a culture constantly forcing us to compare ourselves with the lying images and unreachable standards. Maybe this isn't your heart idol, but I challenge you to seek the Lord to soften your heart and reveal to you the areas not fully submitted to his throne. Our God is the only one who saves, redeems, and restores. He is the ONLY one worthy of our praise.
Luke 10:27 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind..."
Stepping Together
We'd love to hear how God is speaking to you through this message on heart idols. You can leave a comment below, or email me at melissa.rogers@moody.edu with your testimonies of God speaking in your life! Trust me, I've got many more heart idols, and I need the body of Christ to help open my eyes and lead me to repentance. I look forward to hearing from you!!
Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
melissa.rogers@moody.edu
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