TOPIC: FREEDOM OF WORSHIP I
MEMORISE:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
READ: Matthew 6:21-24
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
MESSAGE
All humans have the freedom to worship whatever they want to. Even in countries where people are restricted from worshipping publicly, nobody can restrict anyone from worshipping his or her 'god' privately.
This freedom to worship has been given by God; however, you must be vigilant at all times to know who or what you are worshipping because who or what you worship will determine what you become (2 Corinthians 3:18).
It is important that you examine your priorities because they are pointers to the people or things you actually worship. Some people do not know that their phones have become the god they worship. They take their phones everywhere they go, even into the bathroom. Their eyes are always glued to their phones as they spend hours browsing through them. If they don't have their phones with them, they will begin to panic and will not be able to function normally. Sadly, this god often leads them into anxiety, depression, and many health challenges.
What you give your attention and resources to eventually shapes your values, thoughts, and behavior. If your focus is primarily on material possessions, your social status, or even other people's opinions, they can easily become idols in your life. You must examine yourself regularly to know the things or people that mostly occupy your thoughts and what you exert most of your energy on. If these things or people are not aligned with your purpose in Christ, then you need to take heed, lest you fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Another subtle, yet common object of worship these days is work. Many Christians allow themselves to be trapped in the cycle of work such that they neglect their health, families, and walk with God. I know the value of hard work, so I work very hard and encourage people to do the same. However, when work becomes the source of your identity, it has taken God's place in your life. You must also be careful not to worship comfort and convenience. Today, many youths talk about living a soft life, and unfortunately, their pursuit of this soft life has become the god they worship.
Beloved, the freedom of worship is a precious gift that God has given to you; however, you must use it to worship Him alone. You must also be mindful and disciplined to ensure that you are not worshipping an idol at any time. Keep your total focus on God at all times, and He will reward you with His grace and peace.
ACTION POINT
Sincerely assess your current priorities to determine whether anything or anyone is competing with God's place in your life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 29-31
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 7: I AM THINE O LORD
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
3 O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
4 There are depths of love that I yet may know
Ere Thee face to face I see;
There are heights of joy that I yet may reach
Ere I rest in peace with Thee.
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