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Chasing After Idols
by Nancy Quinn "No!" I screamed. My sister unwittingly let our little rat terrier Mitsy outside in the fenced back yard. I was outside with my rabbit. He suddenly turned into a white blur and disappeared under the pine tree with Mitsy in hot pursuit. Mitsy was so busy circling the tree that she didn't realize my rabbit had hopped out from under the tree and perched himself at the top of the hill. He watched her with what appeared to be a smirk on his bunny face. Just as Mitsy skidded to a halt with her prey in her sights again, I whisked my bunny into my arms and tried really hard not to laugh at Mitsy so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. I loved my childhood pets and they were a very special part of my childhood, and I might add, quite entertaining at times as well! Like my high energy terrier, do you ever feel like you "chase" after the wrong things? I constantly remind myself to keep my priorities in line; God, family and everything else. I don't ever want to chase after wrong priorities and allow other things to turn into idols that misplace my focus from where it should be. Simple things like even watching too much television can turn into idol worship if it begins to monopolize my time. I was surprised to learn that things like work and watching television could be considered "idols". My image of an idol was a statue that people bow down and worship and I certainly never did that. But one of the definitions of an idol is any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration or devotion. I need to watch my television time, or I should say not watch! Living in end times where the news constantly shows us glaringly that we are indeed living in the days of Noah, I want to be very careful to follow and obey the Lord. I don't want to allow anything to turn into an idol to distract me from serving the Lord, so I need to remember to choose my television shows carefully and watch just my favorites. Luke 17:27 "In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all." Leviticus 19:4 "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 4:25 "In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger." Psalm 106:39 "They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord's sight." 1 Corinthians 6:8-11 "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat peoplenone of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story! Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |