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hmmmmm

During my devotions today, I was reading 2 Kings chapter 17. The whole chapter was about the people of Israel, and how they had been ignoring God and worshiping other “gods.” God would send people to warn Israel, but they wouldn’t listen and they’d continue with their way of life that God was displeased with. So, God exiled Israel to a foreign land as punishment for ignoring Him and His warnings, and choosing to worship other “gods.” As a result, people from all over began to move into the land that was vacated by the Israelites, and what was reportedof the new kids in town, really caught my attention…

“They honored and worshiped God, but not exclusively — They honored and worshiped God, but they also kept up their devotions to the old gods of the places they had come from…

And they’re still doing it, still worshiping any old god that has nostalgic appeal to them. They don’t really worship God—they don’t take seriously what he says regarding how to behave and what to believe, what he revealed to the children of Jacob whom he named Israel. God made a covenant with his people and ordered them, “Don’t honor other gods: Don’t worship them, don’t serve them, don’t offer sacrifices to them. Worship God, the God who delivered you from Egypt in great and personal power. Reverence and fear him. Worship him. Sacrifice to him. And only him! All the things he had written down for you, directing you in what to believe and how to behave — well, do them for as long as you live. And whatever you do, don’t worship other gods! And the covenant he made with you, don’t forget your part in that. And don’t worship other gods! Worship God, and God only — he’s the one who will save you from enemy oppression.”

 But they didn’t pay any attention. They kept doing what they’d always done. As it turned out, all the time these people were putting on a front of worshiping God, they were at the same time involved with their local idols. And they’re still doing it. 2 Kings 17:32-40 msg

• Are we worsiping God EXCLUSIVELY?
• What/Who else do we WORSHIP? (significant other(s), self, sex, status…)
• What devotions are we maintaining from the places we CAME FROM? (our pasts…)
• Do we take what God says about our behaivor and what it SHOULD BE seriously?
• Are we putting anything/anyone BEFORE God?
• How long will we continue to do what we’ve ALWAYS DONE, but expect something DIFFERENT?
• Is our worshiping God, nothing more than a FRONT?

No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Those are the questions that flooded my mind when I read this chapter, and I was forced to hit my knees and repent. I had to admit that I ignore Him sometimes. I don’t take what He says seriously all the time. I’m distracted. I’m divided in my worship, and at times I worship other things. I hold back from God. I bump Him from first position in my life.

As I always say, there is nothing more valuable than HONEST, self reflection, especially when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Sometimes self reflection causes us to be aware of where we’ve failed, and as a result, feel like a failure worthy of condemnation. Or, it can lead us to a healthy place of realizing just how much we need Jesus, Hi direction, and His grace in our life because…

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 niv

Because of this scripture, I’m assured that Jesus doesn’t condemn me, and it’s ok to admit my mistakes to Him! He knows I’m going to blow it sometimes, therefore He doesn’t expect perfection of me, so I shouldn’t expect it of myself. My mistakes can and should lead me to Jesus, not away from Him! He’s not surprised by our failures, and doesn’t want to beat us up, or remind us about our mistakes, He wants to offer us forgiveness, and encourage us to try again, and make the changes necessary to not make the same mistakes over and over again! Love where it says to, “remember the covenant He made with you, and don’t forget your part in that.” We can’t expect Him to do it all! We have to allow Him to change us by doing everything that we can to make sure we’re in His presence more than anything/anyone else’s! Progress is what He’s after, and progress comes from knowing Him more and more everyday! So, progress is what I make my goal! As my life goes on, I want God to have more, and more of me, because I’m trusting Him more and more…

God’s after ALL OF US, our love, our attention, our life. He doesn’t want just part of us, or what’s left after everyone else gets their cut. He’s ready for MORE of us, but are we ready for MORE of Him! So, the million dollar question is, “Are we giving Him all of us, or are we trying to front?!”

-J-