True Worship

Behind every false god is a lie. What's the biggest lie you've ever believed? Oh, we could have some fun with this and I'd love to hear a story of something that someone got over on you, because I have a bunch (it's how God keeps me humble). I am amazed at some things that I have believed because someone was a real good story teller…how about you?

Just like the lizard, we can be seduced by what we surely believe is truth only to find ourselves with our head in a can, at best looking foolish, at worst, well, dead…

Kelly led us to Paul's second letter to Timothy. I have to say it is one of my favorite books because it talks so much about God's Word, what it is to us, how we handle it and apply it. And Paul offers stern warnings also. In fact, he points out to us that we as women are particularly vulnerable to deceit.

You may think Paul is a woman basher. He does, after all, call women "weak-willed". But Paul is not bashing us – he is teaching us… I happen to believe that Paul is a great supporter of women, but that's a post for a different day.

This is why I love the word of God and it is also where we can get into so much trouble. So let me share a couple of things that we need to be mindful of. There is one interpretation of scripture but many applications to our lives. That means that we can't take a position and then look for a scripture to back us up…it should be the other way around. Scripture teaches and guides us, then our position lines up to His Word. Secondly, be sure you know who's doing the talking. Check what the scripture says. Look at it in context; get a good lexicon or commentary to help you understand the meaning of the words (a keyword Bible is great). Just a change from "the" to "a" can take us from gospel truth to a cult. Read your Bible.

So, how come Paul says we're weak willed? Paul is saying that we are emotion driven. It's how God wired us; we are fearfully and wonderfully made, just the way the LORD wanted. We are touchy, feely creatures, but Paul says we need to be careful. Emotions (2 Timothy 3:7) can keep us always seeking but never coming to truth. We can look godly on the exterior but it hasn't sunk through to the heart.

"The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God. They look for a feeling, and if it happens, they conclude that they have worshiped. Wrong! In fact, God often removes our feelings so we won't depend on them. Seeking a feeling, even the feeling of closeness to Christ, is not worship." Dr. Joe B. Brown

Oh, sisters, we can get really turned around on this very thing and make our worship all about us and not about Jesus. Worship isn't about the music; it isn't about the feeling or being comfortable at all. Worship is about Jesus and for Jesus. And if Jesus isn't our focus then we aren't worshipping. JESUS IS LORD!

Kelly makes a great point about the little things that "creep" into our lives from the media, movies, and magazines and even on our iPods; we live in a culture that keeps our senses stimulated. But do we need all that? Are we just conditioning ourselves for more of the same and when we feel devoid of stimulation, we seek to create it? I see a golden calf popping out of the fire…

Paul says, "for a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from truth, and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

It is time that we stop wanting to have our ears tickled and stop and look for the face of Jesus. Jesus said, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray.

This week, take a look at all the stimuli around you. What are you watching, reading, and listening to? Is there something that God might want to purify (or purge) in your life?

Page 69, Kelly asks: are you routinely putting yourself in front of things that compromise the good the Lord wants to accomplish in you?

Check out page 70 and ask yourself, "am I willing to seek the truth or I am still looking for a loophole?"

The enemy is real. He is prowling. Watch and pray. Know what Jesus says. Apply it to your life and we'll give no space in worship to anyone or anything but JESUS!

Donna

 

 

 

Technology Issues and General Distractions

Hey NOGs! I haven't forgot you; we're having some technical issues from my end…our blog is being blocked by our server! I have a lesson for you and hopefully will be posting very soon!

Donna

Getting Down to the Root

Oh my goodness, so much to talk about this week. I hope you are really digging into your lessons and unearthing gems as you study. Remember, this study is not designed to condemn us but to convict us and it is doing a mighty fine job of that! Kelly makes such a profound statement right off the bat, "if we can get at the why of idols, we can get at the root of them."

There are so many ways they take root! Funny how those little seeds grow into these big clunky idols isn't it. We learned so much from God's Word this week that we can apply to our lives. The Israelites wanted a king so they could be like everyone else. Sarah had a promise from the LORD and decided to help Him fulfill what He had already promised her. Ever determined to help God – been there? We saw we have choices, the LORD is gracious to let us choose for ourselves whether we take our circumstances and surrender them to Him or like Oprah, seek to elevate ourselves above our circumstances by relying not on Him (like Hannah) but on ourselves.

Then there's fear. I think that it is largely fear of what we cannot see that drops the most seeds into fertile soil that grows an idol. I think that's the opposite of faith, isn't it? Fear tells us to repeat the same behaviors, even when we know in our hearts that they are counterproductive. Kelly said, "Fear protects our idols." Or, "the thing we fear is our god." Do you agree with her?

Here are our discussion questions from this week's study:

1. What's something that you've wrapped your identity around that has let you down? This is the thing that we say about, "if I just had 'this', that is all I would ever need." Then, we find out the cruel truth, that there is always something more we need.
   
2. Page 39, "I would love it said of my life: The goodness of Jesus Christ burned so brightly in her that people glorified God; she almost seemed from another world." What would need to different for this to be said about you?
   
3. MSN.com today featured an article called, "When Oprah's Midas Touch Fails". How does that relate back to her comment on page 43 and Kelly's observations about her comment?
   
4. Have you been given a gift or blessing from God that has turned into a golden calf?
   
5. Share the verse on page 50 that spoke to your heart and why?
   

You are doing great. I have heard of several of you who are meeting weekly and looking at this study together at coffee shops and Chik Fil A. Keep digging. This coming week we're going to look at the Father of Lies. "Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the truth."

Be a truth seeker this week.

I'm crazy about you.

Donna

 

How’s That Working For You?

This week we've been challenged to identify that thing (or things) that are functioning as gods in our lives. If you're like me, you've got some sore toes. Kelly defined the difference between a professed god (what we say is our god) and a functional god (what operates as our god). Ouch!

God tells us "you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Ex 34:14). El Qanna. Jealous God. Let's talk about that a minute. Don't miss this.

God is not talking about what we in our culture consider jealousy. We define jealousy with some negative connotations that involve bitterness, fear, and resentment. Does sound like our LORD? Bitter, Fearful, Resentful. Not mine.

Here's the word picture in the original Hebrew of jealous: vigilant in guarding a relationship, passionate or zealous. God is actually saying, "My name is Passionate. I'm mad about you. Vigilant for what we have together." God wants a special relationship with you. Not a weekly, Sunday morning relationship; not a twice a week relationship; not a relationship just when times are tough. He wants a passionate, every day relationship. He wants us to know Him (Is 43:10). Know refers to a very intimate knowing, like a marriage relationship, but even more than that, the relationship that the LORD wants to have with you is one that is closer than the most intimate of human relationships. Look up Isaiah 54:5 and Hosea 2:19-20. What does God compare our relationship with him with?

Mary Kassian, makes this point, "can you imagine the pain, anguish, and anger a loving, faithful husband would feel toward a wife who repeatedly cheated with other men? Such behavior would be intolerable and undoubtedly deserving of divorce. Yet God remained faithful to his wife. What's more, He extended His love and forgiveness and gently wooed her back." More bruised toes… Do you see what God is saying to us? He is jealous for this kind of relationship with each of us; He wants to love us like no other can. Ladies, do you want to be swept off your feet, well here it is? He is offering us the ultimate romance in our relationship with Him.

So how's that (functional god) working for you? What precious moments are we missing?

"Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?" (Is 44:20)

Faced with all we've studied this week, I've wondered, "how is it that the things (gods) I've invested in and thought would fulfill me, satisfy me, whatever…how is it that they have not rescued me?" Rescue? Far from it, how much power are we willing to give our false gods? What has it already cost, physically, emotionally, spiritually? What has it cost you?

Final thought, then I'll let you talk among yourselves. Alli talked honestly about her functional god (page 14). Asked what she set her heart on, what motivated her in life, what controlled her and what she served with all her energy and resources, she said this: "I would have done anything for him (it). He (it) wasn't necessarily my motivation for everything, but I would have given up everything for him (it) and done anything he (it) asked."

I added the "it" to make it more applicable to all of us. And I wonder, maybe you have wondered this too, "is that the way I feel about my professed God, the One who made me, saved me, feels so passionately about me." Can I honestly say, "I would do anything for You; give up everything for You, do whatever You ask me to do?" Sometimes . . . , not always, sadly.

How's that little "g" god working for you? Feeling the romance yet? Me neither.

You've done a great job this week of taking inventory. Keep up the good work as we continue to study and share God's word. Let's focus on what's in our hands this week as we study. Truth or lie?

Couple of things to chat about:

1. "The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much." John Calvin. Some of the things we desire are not wrong. Some things are perfectly good things. What are some things that we should be on the lookout for? What are some good things, right things that are in our lives that can become detrimental simply because you desire it too much? (page 15)
   
2. 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Well that covers it all, doesn't it? Tell us about some skills, talents, resources, passions, and area of expertise you have and how these things can be used for the glory of God. (p23)
   
3. If we treasure Him, we treasure what is of infinite value. If we worship Him, we will become like Him. Let's have fun with this question. No condemnation, remember? Your house is on fire. Assuming that every living thing is safe and you had time to grab just one thing, what would you grab? I'm not asking you for a spiritual answer necessarily and I'm not attempting to suggest that this treasure is an idol. Just normal curiosity, we all have something that has some sentimental value, or something that we can't replace. What would you grab?
   

Keep studying this week my sweet NOGS (that's No Other God Sisters). We've had some great comments, keep posting and you can email me privately (some of you already have) at donnafugarino@hgbc.org

Blessings!

Donna

What Matters Most To You?

It's a fair question. On the surface it's not very threatening. Bet you can come up with a list of things that matter to you. But what matters MOST to you? What is the one thing, above all other things that you treasure? Can you limit it to one thing? What is it?

Since this is a Bible Study, you're probably going for the spiritual answer, be honest, you did right? We know what we should say.

Let's set some rules…no condemnation here. This online study will work if we can be honest and not fear what everyone else will think. You can choose not to post your response, but we have to get real with our answers, even if it is just on the page of your own workbook. So I'll ask the question again and a little differently. What matters most to you? OR Where are you putting your energy, your time, your focus? Now we're getting beyond the spiritual, aren't we? Kelly Minter writes "many of us claim and worship God, but we've come to accept a lifestyle that depends upon most everything else. And whatever we depend upon we will most definitely serve." Is she right? God's Word confirms it.

2 Kings 17:33 (NIV) says "they worshipped the LORD, but the served their other gods." Then again and here it comes, in verse 41, "even while these people were worshipping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did." And so do we.

How have we come so far in history and still battle the very same thing that got the children of Israel in so much trouble? God said, "No other gods." Sisters, here's what I've learned . . . it boils down to one thing. DISCONTENTMENT. From the minute that slippery snake sneaked and slithered his way into the garden, he set out to create in us (and girlfriends, we're so prone to this) discontentment. "Eve," he said, (my abridged version), "are you content to have just this, when you could have that too? God is holding out on you." The path of 'enlightenment' began; the only problem was it was a path that took us farther from contentment and satisfaction than we could have ever imagined. In seeking contentment, seeking something more, something that satisfies, something that fills that emptiness in our heart, we have lost paradise, just like sister Eve!

Moses called it a "great sin" (Ex 32:21). The chosen people of God, who had heard His very voice (Ex 20:22) and agreed to His commands, the same people who had seen His Presence in the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day, these very same people, just months into their journey from Egypt, crafted an idol to serve. They became discontent. Impatient. They felt they needed something more and they exchanged the glory of the living God for a golden calf. (Ps 106: 19-20) Now watch this! Exodus 32:25, "Moses saw that the people were running wild . . . and so become a laughingstock to their enemies." The NLT says "to the amusement of their enemies." They were mocked by the one who opposed them, (that sneaky, slithering snake!).

The enemy of our souls is greatly entertained and amused when we exchange the glory of the living God for our own golden calf. We become a laughingstock; we are mocked, just like the Israelites, by the one who opposes us and God.

Now the question becomes, not what matters most to you, but how do we get back what we've sacrificed and served to false gods? We've got to identify what we're serving and we've got to understand why we went there in the first place!

Over the next eight weeks, we are going to join our new friends, Kelly, Anadara, Alli, Lauri and Carrie as they look for answers to these questions: What do modern-day idols look like? Why are we serving them? How do we make them? How do we destroy them? Which ones are we serving? Is God the God of your life?

Grab your workbook and a glass of iced tea and let's dig in. Your goal (and mine) is to complete the first week's lesson by next Tuesday, July 14th. Check back on the blog regularly, during the week, as I'll post some thoughts and I hope you will too, it will be much more fun if I'm not the only one talking. What is God telling you? If He's talking to you, we all need to hear! Then, next Tuesday, I'll be back with some commentary and questions as we review our first week.

Take a look at the introduction Session 1 (pages 8-12). Pay special attention to the comments made by our new friends. There is probably one you relate to already! That's how we make friends, isn't it? I was struck by Carrie (page 10) who said, "We let what people think of us affect us." Let's be willing to set aside what we think that the rest will think and talk to one another. Your assignment is Week 1 (page 13-27).

Did today's post or the introduction stir a comment in you? Then chime in. Remember, we're not looking for judgment and condemnation; we're not looking for prose or an essay, but truth and dialog. Here's my last question, less soul searching…

What's your biggest challenge in doing this study online?

I'm praying for each one of you!

Donna

Hello NOGS

Hello NOGS! (that's No Other Gods Sisters!),

I'm just about ready to push the post button on our first lesson!

Here's all you need to do. Check into the blog, a new commentary or post will be published every Tuesday, by mid afternoon. I'll also post during the week as I see something and I hope you will too.

Got your book? Get a comfy spot and a copy of God's Word and let's do this together.

Having trouble posting? Be sure that you have signed up. It's easy, go to "followers" and set up your google account. It fast and it's free. Then all you need to do is sign in to post your comments.

See you on Tuesday!

Donna